Shloka 8
Plakṣaprasravaṇa–Kārapacana tīrtha-varṇana and Nārada’s war briefing (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 53)
आगम्यागम्य चैवैनं भूयो भूयो5वहस्य च । शतक्रतुरनिर्विण्णं पृष्टवा पृष्टवा जगाम ह
āgamyāgamyā caivainaṃ bhūyo bhūyo ’vahasyaca | śatakratur anirviṇṇaṃ pṛṣṭvā pṛṣṭvā jagāma ha ||
Coming to him again and again, and repeatedly mocking him, Rama—after questioning the unwearied Śatakratu time and again—departed. The verse underscores a moral tension: persistent inquiry can be legitimate, but when mixed with ridicule it becomes ethically compromised, revealing pride and a lack of restraint in speech.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that persistence in seeking answers is not inherently virtuous; when joined with ridicule (avahāsa), it becomes adharma in speech. Ethical inquiry requires humility and respect, especially toward a revered figure like Śatakratu (Indra).
Rāma repeatedly approaches the person referred to as Śatakratu (Indra), questions him again and again, and at the same time mocks him repeatedly; after this repeated questioning, Rāma departs.