Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 17
तच्छुत्वा नारदात् सर्वमुतथ्यो नारदं तदा । प्रोवाच गच्छ ब्रूहि त्वं वरुणं परुषं वच:
tac chrutvā nāradāt sarvam utathyo nāradaṃ tadā | provāca gaccha brūhi tvaṃ varuṇaṃ paruṣaṃ vacaḥ ||
Nang marinig ni Utathya ang lahat mula kay Nārada, sinabi niya kay Nārada: “Humayo ka at iparating kay Varuṇa ang aking mabagsik na pananalita.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores restraint and responsibility in communication: even when one must speak firmly, the message is delivered through an appropriate envoy (Nārada), suggesting that harsh truth should be conveyed with deliberation and due process rather than uncontrolled retaliation.
Nārada reports the full situation to the sage Utathya. After hearing it, Utathya instructs Nārada to go to Varuṇa and deliver a severe warning or reprimand on his behalf.