Shloka 18
Adhyāya 125: Raṅga-pradarśana — Arjuna’s Entry and Astric Demonstration (रङ्गप्रदर्शनम्)
रक्ष्यमाणो मया नित्यं वीर: सततमात्मवान् । कथं त्वामत्यतिक्रान्त: शापं जानन् वनौकस:
rakṣyamāṇo mayā nityaṃ vīraḥ satatam ātmavān | kathaṃ tvām atyatikrāntaḥ śāpaṃ jānan vanaukasaḥ |
“Mādrī! Aku senantiasa menjaga raja itu—pahlawan yang teguh menguasai diri. Namun bagaimana mungkin ia, meski mengetahui kutuk sang resi penghuni rimba, tetap melampaui batas dan memaksakan persatuan denganmu?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the disciplined can fall when desire overrides discernment; knowingly crossing a moral boundary (especially under a known curse) highlights the Mahābhārata’s emphasis on self-restraint and accountability for foreseeable consequences.
The speaker questions how the king, despite being continually guarded and aware of a forest-sage’s curse, still transgressed and engaged in forceful union with Mādrī—setting up the ethical and causal tension that the curse will inevitably bear fruit.