Shloka 45
अध्याय ५६ — च्यवन–कुशिकसंवादः
Cyavana–Kuśika Dialogue on Lineage, Conflict, and Transmission
तौ दृष्टवा पौरवर्गस्तु भूशं शोकसमाकुल: । अभिशापभयत्रस्तो न च किंचिदुवाच ह
tau dṛṣṭvā pauravargas tu bhūśaṁ śokasamākulaḥ | abhiśāpabhayatrasto na ca kiñcid uvāca ha ||
Melihat keduanya dalam keadaan yang begitu menyedihkan, warga kota diliputi duka yang dalam; namun karena takut akan kutukan sang resi, tak seorang pun berani berkata apa-apa.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical tension: people may feel genuine compassion, yet fear of spiritual or social repercussions can paralyze speech and action. It implicitly critiques silence born of fear, even when one witnesses suffering.
Bhīṣma describes a scene where the citizens see two individuals in distress. The crowd is deeply saddened, but because they dread a sage’s curse, they remain silent and do not intervene or speak.