Shloka 17
Nārada–Vāyu–Śalmali Upākhyāna: Enmity with the Strong and the Primacy of Buddhi (नारद-वायु-शल्मलि उपाख्यानम्)
इमं लोकं विमुच्य त्वमवाड्मूर्द्धां पतिष्यसि । अशाश्षती: शाशक्षृती क्ष समा: पापेन कर्मणा,“इस लोकको छोड़नेके बाद तू अपने पापकर्मके फलस्वरूप अनन्त वर्षोतक नीचा सिर किये नरकमें पड़ा रहेगा
imaṁ lokaṁ vimucya tvam avāṅmūrdhā patiṣyasi | aśāśvatīḥ śāśvatīś ca samāḥ pāpena karmaṇā ||
ਭੀਸ਼ਮ ਨੇ ਆਖਿਆ—ਇਸ ਲੋਕ ਨੂੰ ਛੱਡ ਕੇ ਤੂੰ ਸਿਰ ਨਿਵਾ ਕੇ ਨਰਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਡਿੱਗੇਂਗਾ। ਆਪਣੇ ਪਾਪਕਰਮ ਦੇ ਫਲ ਵਜੋਂ ਤੂੰ ਉੱਥੇ ਸਾਲਾਂ ਤੱਕ—ਕੁਝ ਛਣਭੰਗੁਰ, ਕੁਝ ਅਨੰਤ ਜਿਹੇ—ਦੁੱਖ ਭੋਗੇਂਗਾ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma underscores karmic accountability: wrongful actions do not end with worldly life; they mature into consequences that can include prolonged suffering in hell. The verse functions as a deterrent and a moral reminder that ethical conduct (dharma) safeguards one’s future state.
In Shanti Parva’s instructional setting, Bhishma is warning an addressed person (not named in this single verse) about the post-mortem result of sinful conduct. The imagery of falling head-down into hell intensifies the admonition and frames the discourse as moral counsel on consequences.