Shloka 18
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 68 — Pāṇḍavānāṃ Vanavāsa-prasthānaḥ; Duḥśāsana-nindā; Pāṇḍava-pratijñāḥ
उक्त्वा सकृत् तथा सर्वान् विकर्ण: पृथिवीपतीन् । पाणौ पार्णिं विनिष्पिष्य नि:श्व॒सन्निदमब्रवीत्,उन सब राजाओंसे बार-बार आग्रह करनेपर भी जब कुछ उत्तर नहीं मिला, तब विकर्णने हाथ-पर-हाथ मलते हुए लंबी साँस खींचकर कहा--
uktvā sakṛt tathā sarvān vikarṇaḥ pṛthivīpatīn | pāṇau pārṇiṃ viniṣpiṣya niḥśvasann idam abravīt ||
उन सब राजाओं से इस प्रकार फिर कहकर भी जब उत्तर न मिला, तब विकर्ण हाथ-पर-हाथ मलते हुए, लंबी साँस लेकर, यह बोला।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical urgency in a public crisis: when those responsible remain silent, a conscientious person may feel compelled to speak, even at personal risk. Vikarna’s sigh and hand-wringing underscore inner conflict turning into moral resolve.
In the royal assembly, Vikarna has repeatedly appealed to the gathered kings for a response. Receiving none, he shows visible distress—rubbing his hands and sighing—and then begins to speak, setting up his forthcoming argument about what is right in the situation.