Shloka 2
Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ
Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit
अकार्षी: साहसमिदं कस्मात् प्रायोपवेशनम् । आत्मत्यागी ह्यथो याति वाच्यतां चायशस्करीम्
akārṣīḥ sāhasam idaṃ kasmāt prāyopaveśanam | ātmatyāgī hy atho yāti vācyatāṃ cāyaśaskarīm ||
“ஏன் நீ இந்தத் துணிகரச் செயலை—இந்தப் பிராயோபவேசத்தை (ஆமரண உபவாசத்தை)—மேற்கொண்டாய்? தன் உயிரைத் தானே துறப்பவன் கீழ்நிலைக்குச் செல்வான்; உலகில் நிந்தைக்குரியவனாவான்—அது அயசையே பரப்பும்.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames self-destruction (or a death-seeking fast) as ethically blameworthy: it leads to an inferior destiny and produces public censure and lasting ill-repute, implying that one should face adversity through dharmic endurance rather than self-harm.
The narrator reports an admonition directed at someone who has undertaken prāyopaveśana (a fast unto death). The speaker challenges the motive for such a drastic vow and warns of its moral and social consequences.