Shloka 9
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
निश्चित्य मनसा सर्व गुणदोषबलाबलम् | दग्धुकाम: कुलं सर्व कुशिकानां तपोधन:
niścitya manasā sarva-guṇa-doṣa-balābalam | dagdhukāmaḥ kulaṃ sarvaṃ kuśikānāṃ tapodhanaḥ |
ビーシュマは語った。――功徳と過失、強みと弱みのすべてを心中で量り、固く決意したのち、苦行者チャヤヴァナは、クシカ族の全系統を焼き尽くさんとの意を抱いて断を下した。というのも、クシカ家の乙女との婚姻の縁によって、自らの家に「クシャトリヤとしての大いなる汚点」が生じると、あらかじめ知っていたからである。かくして彼は、事の是非を内に省みて法（ダルマ）の均衡を思量し、クシカ一族を灰と化さんとの欲念に駆られて、クシカ王のもとへ近づいた。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical deliberation (weighing guṇa-doṣa and balābala) before action, while also warning that even a reasoned mind can be overtaken by wrath and the urge for disproportionate retaliation—raising questions about dharma when lineage, social identity, and perceived dishonor are involved.
Chyavana, a sage of the Bhṛgu line, foresees a serious blemish arising in his family due to a marital connection with a Kushika maiden. After mentally assessing pros and cons, he becomes intent on destroying the Kushika clan and approaches King Kushika with that destructive purpose.