Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 15
Yayāti, Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and the Exchange of Youth: The Unsatisfied Nature of Desire
एवं क्षिपन्तीं शर्मिष्ठा गुरुपुत्रीमभाषत । रुषा श्वसन्त्युरङ्गीव धर्षिता दष्टदच्छदा ॥ १५ ॥
evaṁ kṣipantīṁ śarmiṣṭhā guru-putrīm abhāṣata ruṣā śvasanty uraṅgīva dharṣitā daṣṭa-dacchadā
Śukadeva Gosvāmī berkata: Apabila dicela dengan kata-kata kejam sedemikian, Śarmiṣṭhā menjadi sangat marah. Bernafas berat seperti ular dan menggigit bibir bawahnya dengan giginya, dia bercakap kepada anak perempuan Śukrācārya seperti berikut.
FAQs
This verse portrays how biting words inflame anger—Śarmiṣṭhā reacts “like a serpent,” showing that insults can quickly escalate conflict and lead to sinful actions.
Devayānī was repeatedly insulting her; feeling deeply affronted, Śarmiṣṭhā—overcome by rage—replied, setting the stage for the ensuing incident in their narrative.
Avoid retaliating to provocation with sharp words; pause before responding, because reactive speech multiplies conflict and can trigger consequences far beyond the original offense.