Shloka 1936
Prajñā as Pratiṣṭhā — Indra–Kāśyapa Saṃvāda (Śānti-parva 12.173)
नैच्छन्त तं भक्षयितुं पापकर्माणमित्युत । राक्षसराजके इस प्रकार आदेश देनेपर भी भयानक पराक्रमी राक्षसोंने गौतमको खानेकी इच्छा नहीं की; क्योंकि वह घोर पापाचारी था
naicchanta taṁ bhakṣayituṁ pāpakarmāṇam ity uta | rākṣasarājake
भीष्म उवाच—‘पापकर्मा एष’ इति वदन्तः तं भक्षयितुं नैच्छन्। एवं राक्षसराजस्य आज्ञायामपि ते भयानकपराक्रमाः राक्षसाः गौतमं न भक्षयितुम् इच्छन्ति स्म; स हि घोरपापाचारः आसीत्।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even beings known for violence recognize moral pollution: extreme sinfulness is portrayed as repulsive and unworthy, suggesting that adharma carries consequences that extend beyond legal punishment—one’s very person becomes ethically tainted and socially rejected.
Bhishma narrates that a Rakshasa-king orders his Rakshasas to devour Gautama, but they refuse, declaring him a grievous sinner; despite the command, they do not wish to eat him because of his wicked conduct.