Shloka 3
स्त्रीपर्व — गान्धारीभीमसेनसंवादः
Strī-parva — Gāndhārī–Bhīmasena Dialogue on Wartime Conduct
तस्या: पापमभिप्रायं विदित्वा पाण्डवान् प्रति । ऋषि: सत्यवतीपुत्र: प्रागेव समबुध्यत
tasyāḥ pāpam abhiprāyaṃ viditvā pāṇḍavān prati | ṛṣiḥ satyavatīputraḥ prāg eva samabudhyata ||
Knowing her sinful intention directed against the Pāṇḍavas, the sage—Satyavatī’s son—had already perceived it beforehand.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical discernment: harmful intentions (pāpam abhiprāya) are themselves morally weighty, and a true ṛṣi is portrayed as one who can perceive such inner motives early, enabling timely guidance or restraint in the service of dharma.
Vaiśampāyana states that a woman’s wicked plan aimed at the Pāṇḍavas was already understood in advance by the sage Satyavatī’s son—Vyāsa—signaling his foreknowledge and his role as a vigilant protector/admonisher within the unfolding events of the Strīparvan.