Shloka 3
Chapter 61: Karṇa’s martial assurances and Bhīṣma’s strategic rebuttal in the Kuru assembly
महापराधे हाापि यन्न तेन महर्षिणाहं गुरुणा च शप्तः । शक्तः प्रदग्धुं हपि तिग्मतेजा: ससागरामप्यवनिं महर्षि:,यद्यपि मेरे द्वारा उन महर्षिका महान् अपराध हुआ था, तथापि उन गुरुदेवने जो मुझे शाप नहीं दिया, यह उनका मेरे ऊपर बहुत बड़ा अनुग्रह है। अन्यथा वे प्रचण्ड तेजस्वी महामुनि समुद्रसहित सारी पृथ्वीको भी दग्ध कर सकते हैं
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca | mahāparādhe hy api yan na tena maharṣiṇāhaṃ guruṇā ca śaptaḥ | śaktaḥ pradagdhuṃ hy api tigmatejāḥ sa-sāgarām apy avanīṃ maharṣiḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: “Bagama’t nakagawa ako ng mabigat na kasalanan laban sa dakilang rishi na iyon, ang hindi niya—ang aking iginagalang na guro—pagpapataw ng sumpa sa akin ay isang napakalaking biyaya. Sapagkat ang makapangyarihang pantas na iyon, naglalagablab sa tindi ng espirituwal na lakas, ay kayang sunugin ang buong daigdig, pati ang mga karagatan.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint and compassion: even when a disciple errs gravely, a true guru may choose mercy over punishment. It also underscores the responsibility that accompanies spiritual power—great ascetic energy is not meant for impulsive destruction but for disciplined, dharmic control.
Vaiśaṃpāyana reflects on having committed a serious offense and acknowledges that his revered teacher, a powerful maharṣi, refrained from cursing him. He emphasizes how immense the sage’s power is—capable of burning the earth and oceans—thereby portraying the teacher’s restraint as a significant act of grace.