Shloka 9
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
निश्चित्य मनसा सर्व गुणदोषबलाबलम् | दग्धुकाम: कुलं सर्व कुशिकानां तपोधन:
niścitya manasā sarva-guṇa-doṣa-balābalam | dagdhukāmaḥ kulaṃ sarvaṃ kuśikānāṃ tapodhanaḥ |
निश्चित्य मनसा सर्वगुणदोषबलाबलम् । दग्धुकामः कुलं सर्वं कुशिकानां तपोधनः ॥ पूर्वमेव हि भृगुपुत्रश्च्यवनोऽवगच्छत्—कुशिकवंशकन्यासंबन्धेन स्ववंशे क्षात्रधर्मस्य महादोषः समुत्पत्स्यते इति। ततः स मुनिश्रेष्ठः सर्वं गुणदोषबलाबलं मनसा विचार्य, कुशिकानां कुलं सर्वं भस्मीकर्तुमिच्छन् कुशिकराजानं प्रत्यगच्छत्।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical deliberation (weighing guṇa-doṣa and balābala) before action, while also warning that even a reasoned mind can be overtaken by wrath and the urge for disproportionate retaliation—raising questions about dharma when lineage, social identity, and perceived dishonor are involved.
Chyavana, a sage of the Bhṛgu line, foresees a serious blemish arising in his family due to a marital connection with a Kushika maiden. After mentally assessing pros and cons, he becomes intent on destroying the Kushika clan and approaches King Kushika with that destructive purpose.