Śānti-parva 168: Śoka-nivṛtti-buddhi (The Cognition that Reduces Grief) and Piṅgalā’s Nairāśya
वैशग्पायन उवाच विरेमतुस्तु तद् वाक्यमुक्त्वा तावश्चिनो:सुतौ । भीमसेनस्तदा वाक्यमिदं वक्तुं प्रचक्रमे,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! इतना कहकर नकुल और सहदेव चुप हो गये। तब भीमसेनने इस तरह कहना आरम्भ किया
vaiśampāyana uvāca | virematuḥ tu tad vākyam uktvā tau aśvinoḥ sutau | bhīmasenaḥ tadā vākyam idaṁ vaktuṁ pracakrame |
ไวศัมปายนะกล่าวว่า “โอ้ชนเมชยะ! ครั้นกล่าวถ้อยคำนั้นแล้ว โอรสทั้งสองแห่งอัศวิน—นกุลและสหเทวะ—ก็สงบนิ่ง. แล้วภีมเสนะจึงเริ่มกล่าวถ้อยคำดังต่อไปนี้.”
वैशग्पायन उवाच
The verse functions as a narrative hinge: after Nakula and Sahadeva conclude, Bhīma begins, indicating that dharma is examined through multiple voices and perspectives, with each speaker adding a distinct ethical emphasis.
Vaiśampāyana reports to King Janamejaya that Nakula and Sahadeva have finished speaking and fallen silent; immediately afterward, Bhīmasena starts his own statement, continuing the ongoing deliberation.