Shloka 24
शान्ति पर्व (अध्याय 38): युधिष्ठिरस्य राजधर्म-जिज्ञासा तथा भीष्मोपसर्पण-प्रस्तावना | Shanti Parva Chapter 38: Yudhishthira’s Inquiry into Rajadharma and the Prelude to Approaching Bhishma
वृतः सर्वैस्तथा विप्रैराशीर्वादविवक्षुभि: । पर:सहसे राजेन्द्र तपोनियमसंवृतै:,राजेन्द्र! तपस्या और नियममें लगे रहनेवाले और आशीर्वाद देनेके इच्छुक उन समस्त ब्राह्मणोंसे, जिनकी संख्या हजारसे भी अधिक थी, घिरा हुआ वह दुष्ट राक्षस महात्मा पाण्डवोंका विनाश चाहता था। उसने उन सब ब्राह्मणोंसे अनुमति लिये बिना ही राजा युधिष्ठिरसे कहा
vṛtaḥ sarvais tathā viprair āśīrvādavivakṣubhiḥ | paraḥsahase rājendra taponiyamasaṃvṛtaiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Ó melhor dos reis! Cercado por todos os lados por brāhmaṇas desejosos de conceder bênçãos—homens contidos por austeridades e observâncias sagradas, em número superior a mil—aquele rākṣasa perverso, decidido a destruir os magnânimos Pāṇḍavas, falou ao rei Yudhiṣṭhira sem antes pedir permissão a esses brāhmaṇas.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint and proper conduct in sacred assemblies: even when surrounded by ascetic brāhmaṇas prepared to bless, a malicious person violates decorum by speaking without seeking consent. It contrasts the sanctity of tapas and niyama with the rākṣasa’s harmful intent, implying that dharma includes respecting spiritual authority and communal protocol.
Vaiśampāyana describes a scene where a wicked rākṣasa, encircled by more than a thousand austere brāhmaṇas wishing to offer blessings, aims at the Pāṇḍavas’ destruction. He addresses King Yudhiṣṭhira directly, doing so without first obtaining the brāhmaṇas’ permission.