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 |
Bhishma berkata: Setelah menetapkan tekadnya dengan teguh di dalam hati—sesudah menimbang segala jasa dan cela, kekuatan dan kelemahan—pertapa Cyavana, yang berniat membakar habis seluruh keturunan Kushika, pun membuat keputusan. Kerana sejak awal beliau telah mengetahui bahawa, melalui ikatan perkahwinan dengan seorang gadis dari garis Kushika, suatu noda besar terhadap martabat Kshatriya akan timbul dalam keluarganya sendiri. Maka, setelah bermusyawarah dalam batin tentang imbangan dharma dalam hal itu, sang resi mendekati Raja Kushika, digerakkan oleh hasrat untuk menjadikan seluruh kaum Kushika abu.
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.