Shloka 20
Śikhaṇḍinī’s Marriage Arrangement and the Daśārṇa Envoy’s Accusation (शिखण्डिनी-विवाह-विप्रलम्भ-प्रसङ्गः)
यक्षेणर्द्धिमता राजन् स्थूणाकर्णेन पालितम् । तद्धभयादेव च जनो विसर्जयति तद् वनम्
yakṣeṇarddhimatā rājan sthūṇākarṇena pālitam | tad-bhayād eva ca jano visarjayati tad vanam, rājan ||
ହେ ରାଜନ, ସେହି ବନଟି ସମୃଦ୍ଧିଶାଳୀ ଓ ପ୍ରବଳ ସ୍ଥୂଣାକର୍ଣ୍ଣ ନାମକ ଯକ୍ଷ ଦ୍ୱାରା ରକ୍ଷିତ ଥିଲା। କେବଳ ତାହାର ଭୟରୁ ସାଧାରଣ ଲୋକେ ସେ ବନକୁ ତ୍ୟାଗ କରି ସେଠାକୁ ଯାତାୟାତ ବନ୍ଦ କରିଦେଲେ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power—especially when backed by fear—can effectively restrict access and shape public behavior; a ruler should understand how protection, intimidation, and public safety influence society and the use of common spaces.
Bhīṣma tells the king that a certain forest was under the protection of a mighty Yakṣa named Sthūṇākarṇa, and because people feared him, they stopped entering the forest and effectively abandoned it.