Shloka 22
कामीकवन-समागमः
Kāmyaka Forest Meeting: Kṛṣṇa’s Visit; Mārkaṇḍeya and Nārada Arrive
गृहीतस्य त्वया राजन् प्राणिनोडपि बलीयस: सत्त्वभ्रंशो5धिकस्यापि सर्वस्याशु भविष्यति,“राजन्! जिसे तुम पकड़ लोगे, वह बलवान्-से-बलवान् प्राणी क्यों न हो, उसका भी धैर्य छूट जायगा। एवं तुमसे अधिक शक्तिशाली पुरुष क्यों न हो, सबका साहस शीघ्र ही खो जायगा'
gṛhītasya tvayā rājan prāṇino 'pi balīyasaḥ sattvabhraṁśo 'dhikasya 'pi sarvasya āśu bhaviṣyati
Disse Vaiśampāyana: “Ó rei, uma vez que tu agarres alguém, mesmo uma criatura de força suprema perderá depressa a firmeza da mente. De fato, até quem for mais forte do que tu—seja quem for—logo terá toda a coragem drenada.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral-psychological truth about coercion: physical restraint or capture can shatter even great strength by breaking inner resolve (sattva). It warns that dominance over bodies often produces fear and loss of courage, regardless of a person’s inherent power.
Vaiśaṃpāyana addresses a king and emphasizes the intimidating effect of being seized or held. The statement functions as counsel or observation within the story, explaining how capture undermines confidence even in the strong.