Shloka 34
Babhruvāhana’s Lament and Appeal for Expiation (प्रायश्चित्त-याचना)
इत्युक्त्वा स ततो राजा दुःखशोकसमाहत: । उपस्पृश्य महाराज दुःखाद् वचनमब्रवीत्,महाराज! ऐसा कहकर दुःख और शोकसे पीड़ित हुए राजा बभ्रुवाहनने आचमन किया और बड़े दुःखसे इस प्रकार कहा--
ity uktvā sa tato rājā duḥkhaśokasamāhataḥ | upaspṛśya mahārāja duḥkhād vacanam abravīt ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having spoken thus, the king—struck down by grief and sorrow—performed ācamana (ritual sipping of water). Then, O great king, overwhelmed by anguish, he spoke these words. The scene underscores how even in intense emotional turmoil a ruler seeks composure through prescribed conduct before speaking, reflecting the ethical weight of speech and action in dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined conduct under emotional strain: even when overwhelmed by grief, a king performs a purificatory act (ācamana) before speaking, suggesting that speech and decision-making should be grounded in restraint and dharmic propriety.
After saying something previously, Babhruvāhana is overcome with sorrow. He performs ācamana and then begins to speak again; Vaiśampāyana narrates this to King Janamejaya as a transition into the next statement.