Shloka 16
Prajñā as Pratiṣṭhā — Indra–Kāśyapa Saṃvāda (Śānti-parva 12.173)
गौतमको लेकर वे राक्षस शीघ्र ही मेरुव्रजमें गये। वहाँ उन्होंने राजाको राजधर्माका मृत शरीर दिखाया और पापाचारी कृतघ्न गौतमको भी सामने खड़ा कर दिया ।।
gautamakaṃ nītvā te rākṣasāḥ śīghram eva meruvraje gatāḥ | tatra te rājānaṃ rājadharmasya mṛtaṃ śarīraṃ darśayām āsuḥ, pāpācāriṇaṃ kṛtaghnaṃ gautamakaṃ ca sammukhe sthāpayām āsuḥ || ruroda rājā taṃ dṛṣṭvā sāmātyaḥ sapurohitaḥ | ārtanādaś ca sumahān abhūt tasya niveśane ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Isinama nila si Gautamaka, at ang mga rākṣasa ay nagmadaling nagtungo sa Meruvraja. Doon, ipinakita nila sa hari ang bangkay ni Rājadharma, at pinatayo rin sa harap niya si Gautamaka—ang makasalanan at walang utang-na-loob. Nang makita iyon, ang hari, kasama ang mga ministro at ang punong pari ng angkan, ay napaiyak; at isang napakalakas na daing ng dalamhati ang umalingawngaw sa buong palasyo.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical gravity of kṛtaghnatā (ingratitude) and pāpācāra (sinful conduct): wrongdoing is not merely private but wounds the moral order and brings public sorrow. It also frames accountability—wrongdoers are brought face-to-face with consequences before rightful authority.
Rākṣasas bring Gautamaka to Meruvraja and present to the king the dead body of a person named Rājadharma, while also placing the culpable Gautamaka before him. The king, along with his ministers and priest, is overwhelmed with grief, and loud lamentation spreads through the palace.