Shloka 9
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
निश्चित्य मनसा सर्व गुणदोषबलाबलम् | दग्धुकाम: कुलं सर्व कुशिकानां तपोधन:
niścitya manasā sarva-guṇa-doṣa-balābalam | dagdhukāmaḥ kulaṃ sarvaṃ kuśikānāṃ tapodhanaḥ |
Bhishma berkata: Sejak awal putra Bhrigu, resi Cyavana, telah mengetahui bahwa melalui ikatan pernikahan dengan seorang gadis dari wangsa Kushika, suatu cela besar atas martabat kshatriya akan timbul dalam keluarganya sendiri. Maka sang pertapa agung itu menimbang dalam batinnya segala kebajikan dan kekurangan, kekuatan dan kelemahan, lalu menetapkan keputusan dengan teguh. Dengan hasrat membakar habis seluruh garis keturunan Kushika, ia pun mendatangi Raja Kushika.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical deliberation (weighing guṇa-doṣa and balābala) before action, while also warning that even a reasoned mind can be overtaken by wrath and the urge for disproportionate retaliation—raising questions about dharma when lineage, social identity, and perceived dishonor are involved.
Chyavana, a sage of the Bhṛgu line, foresees a serious blemish arising in his family due to a marital connection with a Kushika maiden. After mentally assessing pros and cons, he becomes intent on destroying the Kushika clan and approaches King Kushika with that destructive purpose.