Mahabharata — Ashvamedhika Parva, Shloka 50
Nakula’s Declaration and the Uñchavṛtti Brāhmaṇa’s Superior Merit (Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 92)
स तान् प्रसादयामास शापस्यान्तो भवेदिति | तैश्षाप्युक्त: क्षिपन् धर्म शापस्यान्तमवाप्स्यसि
sa tān prasādayāmāsa śāpasya anto bhaved iti | taiḥ śāpyuktaḥ kṣipan dharmaṃ śāpasya antam avāpsyasi ||
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: Upang magwakas ang sumpa, kanyang pinalugod at pinarangalan ang mga Pitṛ (mga ninunong espiritu). Nang sila’y mapayapa na, sinabi nila: “Sa pamamagitan ng pagbibintang kay Dharma—kay Yudhiṣṭhira, ang haring tagapangalaga ng katuwiran—makakamit mo ang paglaya sa sumpang ito.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the complex ethics of speech and intention: even when a goal is relief from suffering (ending a curse), the prescribed means—casting blame on a righteous figure—creates a moral tension, reminding readers that dharma can be tested by expedient remedies and that ritual/spiritual economies may demand difficult choices.
A person afflicted by a curse seeks its cessation by pleasing the Pitṛs. Once satisfied, the Pitṛs advise that the curse will end if he directs an accusation or blame toward Dharma—identified here with Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira.