Shloka 7
Manoḥ Carita
The Account of Manu Vaivasvata and the Mātsyaka Flood Narrative
त॑ चापि हिंसितं तात मुनिं मूलफलाशिनम् । श्र॒त्वा दृष्टवा च ते तत्र बभूवुर्दीनमानसा:,तात! फल-मूलका आहार करनेवाले एक मुनिकी हिंसा हो गयी, यह सुनकर और देखकर वे सभी क्षत्रिय मन-ही-मन बहुत दुःखी हुए
Taṁ cāpi hiṁsitaṁ tāta muniṁ mūla-phalāśinam | śrutvā dṛṣṭvā ca te tatra babhūvur dīna-mānasāḥ ||
Markandeya said: “Dear child, when they heard—and also saw—that a sage who lived only on roots and fruits had been harmed, those kṣatriyas there became inwardly distressed and heavy-hearted. The sight and report of violence against an austere, harmless ascetic stirred their conscience and sorrow.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Harming a harmless ascetic—especially one living by simple forest fare—violates dharma and naturally awakens remorse. The verse highlights ethical sensitivity: true nobility is shown by grief at injustice and violence against the innocent.
Mārkaṇḍeya narrates that the kṣatriyas, upon hearing and seeing that a root-and-fruit-eating sage had been injured, become deeply saddened. Their reaction signals recognition that an act of violence has occurred against a vulnerable, dharmic figure.