Shloka 100
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
सर्वे विकृतदेहाश्चाप्यस्मिन् देशे सुदारुणे । युष्मान् प्रधर्षयिष्यन्ति विकृता मांसभोजिन:,इस भयंकर प्रदेशमें रहनेवाले सभी प्राणी विकराल शरीरके हैं। ये सबके सब मांस खानेवाले और विकृत अंगवाले हैं। वे तुमलोगोंको धर दबायेंगे
sarve vikṛtadehāś cāpy asmin deśe sudāruṇe | yuṣmān pradharṣayiṣyanti vikṛtā māṁsabhōjinaḥ ||
اس نہایت ہولناک خطّے میں رہنے والی سب ہستیاں بدشکل جسموں والی ہیں؛ وہ گوشت خور اور بگڑے ہوئے اعضا رکھنے والی ہیں—وہ تم پر ٹوٹ پڑیں گی اور تمہیں دبوچ لیں گی۔
गृध्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores prudence and discernment: entering a place dominated by हिंसा (violence) and predatory beings invites harm. Ethically, it suggests that environments shaped by adharma endanger the weak and demand caution, restraint, and wise counsel.
A vulture speaks as a warning voice, describing the terrifying nature of the region: its inhabitants are grotesque, flesh-eating creatures who will attack and overpower the addressed group. The line functions as an urgent caution against proceeding unprepared.