Shloka 18
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 ||
Vaiśampāyana nói: Sau khi lại một lần nữa ngỏ lời với các vua ấy, Vikarna—dù đã nhiều phen thúc giục mà vẫn không được đáp—liền xoa hai tay vào nhau, thở dài một hơi, rồi cất lời. Cử chỉ ấy vừa bộc lộ nỗi bức bối, vừa cho thấy quyết tâm giữ đạo lý giữa sự im lặng của hội trường.
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.