Shloka 18
कुमाराभिषेकप्रश्नः — Inquiry into Kumāra (Skanda) Investiture at Sarasvatī
कृत्वाज्जलिं ततो राजन् राक्षसा: क्षुधयार्दिता:
kṛtvāñjaliṃ tato rājan rākṣasāḥ kṣudhayārditāḥ
Alors, ô Roi, les rākṣasas—tourmentés par la faim—joignirent les mains en supplication. Cet instant souligne que même les êtres farouches et violents, lorsque la souffrance les accule, se tournent vers l’humilité et cherchent le secours par un appel respectueux plutôt que par la force.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Suffering can soften pride and aggression; even those known for violence may adopt humility and respectful conduct when confronted with need. The verse highlights the ethical power of restraint and supplication over coercion.
Vaishampayana reports that the rākṣasas, distressed by hunger, approach with folded hands (añjali), indicating a plea for help or permission rather than an immediate act of violence.