Shloka 27
Takṣaka’s agency, Parīkṣit’s rites, and Janamejaya’s enthronement (वैयासिक परम्परा-प्रसङ्गः)
स तेन समनुज्ञातो ब्रह्मणा गृहमेयिवान् । सख्योक्त: क्रीडमानेन स तत्र हसता किल,शृंगी उस दिन आचार्यकी आज्ञा लेकर घरको लौट रहा था। रास्तेमें उसका मित्र ऋषिकुमार कृश, जो धर्मके लिये कष्ट उठानेके कारण सदा ही कृश (दुर्बल) रहा करता था, खेलता मिला। उसने हँसते-हँसते शृंगी ऋषिको उसके पिताके सम्बन्धमें ऐसी बात बतायी, जिसे सुनते ही वह रोषमें भर गया। द्विजश्रेष्ठ! मुनिकुमार शुंगी क्रोधके आवेशमें आनेपर अत्यन्त तीक्ष्ण (कठोर) एवं विषके समान विनाशकारी हो जाता था
sa tena samanujñāto brahmaṇā gṛham eyivān | sakhyoktaḥ krīḍamānena sa tatra hasatā kila |
With Brahmā’s permission, he set out for home. On the way, a friend—met while playing and laughing—spoke to him in jest; but the remark concerned his father and, once heard, it kindled fierce anger in the young ascetic. Thus the narrative highlights how careless speech, even in play, can provoke destructive wrath in one whose temper is sharp and ruinous like poison.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even playful, laughing speech can become ethically dangerous when it touches sensitive truths; lack of restraint in words may trigger anger and lead to harm. The passage implicitly urges careful speech and mastery over wrath.
After receiving permission from Brahmā, the young ascetic is returning home. On the way, a friend—met in play—makes a joking remark about his father; the remark provokes intense anger, setting up the later consequences associated with Śṛṅgī’s wrath.