Shloka 40
दमयन्त्याः व्याकुलता — स्वयंवरसंनिपातः — देवदूतयाचनम्
Damayantī’s Distress, Proclamation of the Svayaṃvara, and the Gods’ Request
परिक्लिष्टासि यैस्तत्र यैश्वासि समुपेक्षिता । तेषामुत्कृत्तशिरसां भूमि: पास्यति शोणितम्,“जिन लोगोंने तुम्हें सभामें क्लेश पहुँचाया और जिन्होंने चुपचाप रहकर उस अन्यायकी उपेक्षा की है, उन सबके कटे हुए मस्तकोंका रक्त यह पृथ्वी पीयेगी'
parikliṣṭāsi yais tatra yaiś cāsi samupeksitā | teṣām utkṛttaśirasāṁ bhūmiḥ pāsyati śoṇitam ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Those who there caused you suffering in the royal hall, and those who, by remaining silent, looked on and ignored that injustice—of all of them, with their heads cut off, this very earth shall drink their blood.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames injustice as twofold: direct harm and the moral failure of silent spectators. It asserts a kṣatriya ideal of restoring justice, while warning that passive complicity in adharma also incurs grave consequence.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses the wrong done to Draupadī in the assembly, condemning both the perpetrators and those who remained silent. He declares a grim resolve that retribution will come—so complete that the earth will drink the blood of the offenders.