Shloka 25
Cyavana’s Tapas, Sukanyā’s Curiosity, and Śaryāti’s Appeasement (च्यवन-सुकन्या-उपाख्यान आरम्भ)
तामेव प्रतिगृह्माहं राजन् दुहितरं तव । क्षंस्यामीति महीपाल सत्यमेतद् ब्रवीमि ते,“भगवन्! मेरी बालिकाने अज्ञानवश जो आपका अपराध किया है, उसे आप कृपापूर्वक क्षमा करें।” उनके ऐसा कहनेपर भृगुनन्दन च्यवनने राजासे कहा--“राजन्! तुम्हारी इस पुत्रीने अहंकारवश अपमानपूर्वक मेरी आँखें फोड़ी हैं, अत: रूप और उदारता आदि गुणोंसे युक्त तथा लोभ और मोहके वशीभूत हुई तुम्हारी इस कन्याको पत्नीरूपमें प्राप्त करके ही मैं इसका अपराध क्षमा कर सकता हूँ। भूपाल! यह मैं तुमसे सच्ची बात कहता हूँ
tām eva pratigṛhṇāhaṁ rājan duhitaraṁ tava | kṣaṁsyāmīti mahīpāla satyam etad bravīmi te ||
“Ó rei, aceitarei somente essa tua própria filha; então perdoarei. Ó protetor da terra, digo-te esta verdade.” No contexto, o sábio condiciona o perdão à entrega da filha do rei em casamento, expondo uma tensão ética severa entre o dever régio, a falta de uma criança e a exigência de reparação do asceta.
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a difficult ethical space where forgiveness is made conditional on restitution. It invites reflection on proportionality of punishment, the power imbalance between ascetic and king, and how dharma can be contested when personal injury, pride, and social institutions (marriage) intersect.
After the king seeks pardon for his daughter’s offense against the sage, the sage responds that he will forgive only if he is given the king’s daughter—stating this as a firm and truthful condition.