Mahabharata 9.53.8 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 53, Shloka 8
Plakṣaprasravaṇa–Kārapacana tīrtha-varṇana and Nārada’s war briefing (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 53)
आगम्यागम्य चैवैनं भूयो भूयो5वहस्य च । शतक्रतुरनिर्विण्णं पृष्टवा पृष्टवा जगाम ह
āgamyāgamyā caivainaṃ bhūyo bhūyo ’vahasyaca | śatakratur anirviṇṇaṃ pṛṣṭvā pṛṣṭvā jagāma ha ||
அவன் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் வந்து, மீண்டும் மீண்டும் ஏளனம் செய்து, சோர்வறியாத சதக்ரதுவை மீண்டும் மீண்டும் வினவி, பின்னர் சென்றுவிடுவான்.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that persistence in seeking answers is not inherently virtuous; when joined with ridicule (avahāsa), it becomes adharma in speech. Ethical inquiry requires humility and respect, especially toward a revered figure like Śatakratu (Indra).
Rāma repeatedly approaches the person referred to as Śatakratu (Indra), questions him again and again, and at the same time mocks him repeatedly; after this repeated questioning, Rāma departs.
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