Shloka 23
Prajñā as Pratiṣṭhā — Indra–Kāśyapa Saṃvāda (Śānti-parva 12.173)
इत्युक्ता राक्षसास्तेन शूलपट्टिशपाणय:
ity uktā rākṣasās tena śūla-paṭṭiśa-pāṇayaḥ
ભીષ્મે કહ્યું— તેણે એમ કહ્યે પછી શૂલ અને પટ્ટિશ હાથમાં ધરાવતાં રાક્ષસો (આદેશ પાલન માટે તત્પર થયા).
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The line highlights how speech and command can immediately mobilize violence: once a leader’s words are issued, armed agents stand prepared to execute them. In dharma-reflection, it underscores the ethical weight of giving orders and the responsibility to restrain force unless it is justified.
Bhīṣma narrates that, after being addressed by a certain person, the rākṣasas—armed with spears and battle-axes—are poised for action. The verse functions as a transition into the next event, emphasizing readiness for conflict.