Shloka 16
गान्धारीपुत्रोत्पत्तिः — The Birth of Gāndhārī’s Hundred Sons (and Yuyutsu); Omens and Counsel on Succession
संतापं परमं जग्मुर्मुन॒यस्तपसान्विता: । ते रात्रौ शकुना भूत्वा संनिपत्य तु भारत । दर्शयन्तो यथाशक्ति तमपृच्छन् द्विजोत्तमम्
santāpaṁ paramaṁ jagmur munayas tapasānvitāḥ | te rātrau śakunā bhūtvā saṁnipatya tu bhārata | darśayanto yathāśakti tam apṛcchan dvijottamam ||
தவத்தால் நிறைந்த முனிவர்கள் மிகுந்த துயரத்தில் ஆழ்ந்தனர். ஓ பாரதா, அவர்கள் இரவில் பறவைகளின் உருவம் கொண்டு அங்கே கூடினர்; தத்தம் ஆற்றலுக்கேற்ப தங்களை வெளிப்படுத்தி, அந்த இருபிறப்போரில் சிறந்தவரை வினவத் தொடங்கினர்.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how powerful ascetics respond to perceived moral disorder: intense inner distress leads them to seek clarification from a realized authority. It frames dharma as something to be investigated through disciplined inquiry, especially when suffering appears disproportionate to apparent fault.
A group of austerity-filled sages, shaken by what they have seen, assemble at night by assuming bird-forms. They reveal themselves as much as their powers allow and question the eminent twice-born sage (contextually Māṇḍavya), initiating a dialogue about the cause and meaning of the situation.