Shloka 55
Kubera’s Arrival and the Disclosure of Agastya’s Curse
Vaiśaṃpāyana–Janamejaya Narrative
आत्मना क्रातृभिश्वैव धर्मेण सुकृतेन च । इप्टेन च शपे राजन् सूदयिष्यामि राक्षसम्,फिर वे युधिष्ठिससे बोले--“महाराज! मैं अपनी, सब भाइयोंकी, धर्मकी, पुण्य कर्मोंकी तथा यज्ञकी शपथ खाकर कहता हूँ, इस राक्षसको अवश्य मार डालूँगा
ātmana krātṛbhiś caiva dharmeṇa sukṛtena ca | iṣṭena ca śape rājan sūdayiṣyāmi rākṣasam ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai Raja, aku bersumpah demi diriku sendiri, demi saudara-saudaraku, demi dharma, demi pahala perbuatan benar, dan demi korban suci (yajña) yang telah aku laksanakan dengan sempurna: aku pasti akan membunuh rākṣasa ini.” Sumpah itu dibingkai sebagai ikrar beretika—berpijak pada dharma dan jasa kebajikan yang diperoleh—bukan sekadar amarah atau keangkuhan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a model of ethically grounded resolve: a vow is anchored in dharma and in the moral capital of good deeds and sacrifices, implying that force (slaying the rākṣasa) is justified when aligned with righteousness and protection.
A speaker (reported by Vaiśampāyana) declares a solemn oath before the King, invoking self, brothers, dharma, merit, and sacrifice as witnesses, and promises to kill a threatening rākṣasa—signaling imminent action against a demonic adversary.