Shloka 27
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 178 — Royal Contestants Assemble; Cosmic Witnesses; The Bow Remains Unstrung
ऊचुश्चैनां महाभागां क्षत्रियास्ते विचेतस: । ज्योतिः प्रहीणा दु:खार्ता: शान्तार्चिष इवाग्नय:,वे क्षत्रिय उस समय आँखकी ज्योतिसे वंचित हो बुझी हुई लपटोंवाली आगके समान अत्यन्त दुःखसे आतुर एवं अचेत हो रहे थे। अतः वे उस महान् सौभाग्यशालिनी देवीसे इस प्रकार बोले--'देवि! यदि आपकी कृपा हो तो नेत्र पाकर यह क्षत्रियोंका दल अब लौट जायगा, थोड़ी देर विश्राम करके हम सभी पापाचारी यहाँसे साथ ही चले जायँगे”
ūcuś caināṃ mahābhāgāṃ kṣatriyās te vicetasaḥ | jyotiḥ-prahīṇā duḥkhārtāḥ śāntārciṣa ivāgnayaḥ ||
Те кшатрии, смятённые в чувствах, обратились к той великосчастливой госпоже. Лишённые света в очах и терзаемые страданием, они были подобны огням, у которых угасло пламя. В своей беде они молили её о милости, надеясь вновь обрести зрение и, немного отдохнув, отступить и уйти оттуда всем вместе, признавая свою вину и греховность.
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how wrongdoing and arrogance can lead to loss—here symbolized by blindness and mental confusion—and how humility and appeal to compassion become the first steps toward restoration. It frames grace as something sought through acknowledgment of suffering and ethical failure.
A group of Kṣatriyas, afflicted and disoriented, have lost their sight. They approach and address a highly blessed lady, comparing themselves to fires with extinguished flames, and plead for her favor so they may regain vision and then withdraw after resting briefly.