Shloka 21
भीष्मस्य भीमसेन-निरोधः
Bhīṣma checks Bhīmasena; matched engagements intensify
निकृतानीह पाण्डूनां नीचैरिव यथा नरै: । सर्व च तदनादृत्य पुत्राणां तव किल्बिषम्
sañjaya uvāca |
nikṛtānīha pāṇḍūnāṁ nīcair iva yathā naraiḥ |
sarvaṁ ca tad anādṛtya putrāṇāṁ tava kilbiṣam, janeśvara |
Sañjaya berkata: “Di sini, putera-putera tuanku telah melakukan banyak kekejaman dan tipu daya terhadap para Pāṇḍava—seperti yang dilakukan orang hina. Namun para Pāṇḍava telah mengetepikan segala kesalahan putera-putera tuanku itu; sejak lama mereka menanggungnya dan bahkan menutup aib tersebut. Walau demikian, wahai penghulu manusia, putera-putera tuanku tidak juga menunjukkan penghormatan yang sewajarnya kepada para Pāṇḍava.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wrongdoing (kilbiṣa/nikṛta) does not become harmless merely because the injured party endures it. The verse highlights ethical accountability: the Pāṇḍavas’ forbearance and willingness to overlook offenses should have led to reconciliation and respect, but continued disrespect deepens adharma and moral culpability.
Sañjaya addresses Dhṛtarāṣṭra, reminding him that the Kauravas have repeatedly harmed the Pāṇḍavas through deceit and harsh conduct. Despite this, the Pāṇḍavas have often ignored or concealed those offenses; yet Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons still fail to honor them properly—an implicit critique of the Kauravas’ attitude and the king’s failure to restrain them.