Shloka 17
Nārada–Vāyu–Śalmali Upākhyāna: Enmity with the Strong and the Primacy of Buddhi (नारद-वायु-शल्मलि उपाख्यानम्)
इमं लोकं विमुच्य त्वमवाड्मूर्द्धां पतिष्यसि । अशाश्षती: शाशक्षृती क्ष समा: पापेन कर्मणा,“इस लोकको छोड़नेके बाद तू अपने पापकर्मके फलस्वरूप अनन्त वर्षोतक नीचा सिर किये नरकमें पड़ा रहेगा
imaṁ lokaṁ vimucya tvam avāṅmūrdhā patiṣyasi | aśāśvatīḥ śāśvatīś ca samāḥ pāpena karmaṇā ||
Bhishma dit : «Quand tu quitteras ce monde, tu tomberas en enfer, la tête penchée vers le bas. En conséquence de tes actes pécheurs, tu y demeureras des années — certaines fugitives, d’autres comme sans fin — portant le poids moral de tes propres actions.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma underscores karmic accountability: wrongful actions do not end with worldly life; they mature into consequences that can include prolonged suffering in hell. The verse functions as a deterrent and a moral reminder that ethical conduct (dharma) safeguards one’s future state.
In Shanti Parva’s instructional setting, Bhishma is warning an addressed person (not named in this single verse) about the post-mortem result of sinful conduct. The imagery of falling head-down into hell intensifies the admonition and frames the discourse as moral counsel on consequences.