Shloka 27
Bhīṣma’s Admonition; Duryodhana’s Rājasūya Aspiration and the Proposal of a Vaiṣṇava-satra
एवमुक्तास्तु गन्धर्वा: प्रहसन्तो विशाम्पते | प्रत्यब्रुवंस्तान् पुरुषानिदं हि परुषं वच:,राजन्! उनके ऐसा कहनेपर गन्धर्व जोर-जोरसे हँसने लगे; और उन राजसेवकोंको उत्तर देते हुए उनसे इस प्रकार कठोर वाणीमें बोले--
evam uktās tu gandharvāḥ prahasanto viśāmpate | pratyabruvaṃs tān puruṣān idaṃ hi paruṣaṃ vacaḥ rājan ||
ഹേ ജനാധിപതേ, ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ ഗന്ധർവർ ഉച്ചത്തിൽ ചിരിച്ചു; പിന്നെ രാജസേവകരോട് മറുപടിയായി കടുത്ത വാക്കുകളിൽ ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞു.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how speech and attitude can escalate conflict: mocking laughter and harsh reply signal a breakdown of respectful dialogue, implying an ethical warning against arrogance and reckless speech when confronting beings or powers beyond one’s control.
After certain men (described as the king’s attendants) speak to the Gandharvas, the Gandharvas respond by laughing loudly and then answering them with harsh words, marking a turning point toward open confrontation.