Shloka 163
Jaratkāru’s Conditional Marriage Vow and Vāsuki’s Offer (जरत्कारु-विवाह-नियमः)
शमीकवचरन घोरं यथोक्तं मन्सत्रिसन्निधौ | महाराज परीक्षितने उस समय गौरमुख ब्राह्मणका बड़ा सत्कार किया। जब उसने विश्राम कर लिया, तब शमीकके कहे हुए घोर वचनको मन्त्रियोंके समीप राजाके सामने पूर्णरूपसे कह सुनाया
śamīka uvāca — śamīkavacaraṇ ghoraṃ yathoktaṃ mantrisannidhau | mahārājaḥ parīkṣit tasmin samaye gauramukha-brāhmaṇasya mahān satkāraṃ cakāra | yadā sa viśrāntaḥ, tadā śamīkena uktaṃ ghoraṃ vacanaṃ mantriṣu samīpe rājñaḥ samakṣaṃ pūrṇarūpeṇa kathayām āsa ||
Śamīka disse: Na presença dos ministros, o rei Parīkṣit, naquele momento, prestou grande honra ao brâmane de rosto claro. Depois que o brâmane descansou, ele relatou diante do rei, por completo e exatamente como fora dito, as palavras ásperas e terríveis proferidas por Śamīka.
शमीक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical governance: a king should act with public decorum, consult ministers, and treat brāhmaṇas respectfully; yet he must also recognize that harsh speech—especially from ascetics—can carry serious moral and social consequences.
Parīkṣit respectfully receives a brāhmaṇa and, after the guest rests, the king is informed—before his ministers—of the severe words spoken by Śamīka, setting the stage for the unfolding curse-related events in the Parīkṣit episode.