Shloka 23
Takṣaka’s agency, Parīkṣit’s rites, and Janamejaya’s enthronement (वैयासिक परम्परा-प्रसङ्गः)
न हि तं राजशार्टूल॑ क्षमाशीलो महामुनि: । स्वधर्मनिरतं भूपं समाक्षिप्तो5प्यधर्षयत्,राजाओंमें श्रेष्ठ भूपाल परीक्षित् अपने धर्मके पालनमें तत्पर रहते थे, अत: उस समय उनके द्वारा तिरस्कृत होनेपर भी क्षमाशील महामुनिने उन्हें अपमानित नहीं किया
na hi taṃ rājaśārṭūla kṣamāśīlo mahāmuniḥ | svadharmanirataṃ bhūpaṃ samākṣipto 'py adharṣayat ||
O tiger among kings, the great sage—patient and forbearing by nature—did not retaliate against that ruler who was devoted to his own royal duty, even though he had been insulted. The episode underscores that true ascetic strength lies in restraint, and that a king’s steadfastness in dharma does not justify contempt, but calls forth measured forbearance in the wise.
शौनक उवाच