Shloka 18
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 68 — Pāṇḍavānāṃ Vanavāsa-prasthānaḥ; Duḥśāsana-nindā; Pāṇḍava-pratijñāḥ
उक्त्वा सकृत् तथा सर्वान् विकर्ण: पृथिवीपतीन् । पाणौ पार्णिं विनिष्पिष्य नि:श्व॒सन्निदमब्रवीत्,उन सब राजाओंसे बार-बार आग्रह करनेपर भी जब कुछ उत्तर नहीं मिला, तब विकर्णने हाथ-पर-हाथ मलते हुए लंबी साँस खींचकर कहा--
uktvā sakṛt tathā sarvān vikarṇaḥ pṛthivīpatīn | pāṇau pārṇiṃ viniṣpiṣya niḥśvasann idam abravīt ||
یوں اس نے ایک بار پھر سب بادشاہوں سے کہا، مگر جب کوئی جواب نہ ملا تو وِکرن نے ہاتھ ملتے ہوئے ایک طویل آہ بھری اور یہ بات کہی۔
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical urgency in a public crisis: when those responsible remain silent, a conscientious person may feel compelled to speak, even at personal risk. Vikarna’s sigh and hand-wringing underscore inner conflict turning into moral resolve.
In the royal assembly, Vikarna has repeatedly appealed to the gathered kings for a response. Receiving none, he shows visible distress—rubbing his hands and sighing—and then begins to speak, setting up his forthcoming argument about what is right in the situation.