Shloka 19
आपद्धर्मे कोशबलन्यायः | Treasury, Force, and Crisis-Ethics for the King
तमनुध्यान्तमालक्ष्य राजा परमदुर्मना: । उवाच वाकयं दीनात्मा मन्दं मन्दमिवासकृत्,उनको चिन्तन करते देख परम दुखी हुए नरेश दीनहृदय हो मन्द-मन्द वाणीमें बारंबार इस प्रकार कहने लगे--
tam anudhyāntam ālakṣya rājā paramadurmanāḥ | uvāca vākyam dīnātmā mandaṁ mandam ivāsakṛt ||
Bhīṣma nói: Thấy hiền giả còn đang trầm tư, nhà vua càng thêm thống khổ. Với tấm lòng nặng trĩu sầu đau, ông cất lời—hết lần này đến lần khác—bằng giọng nhỏ nhẹ, như nghẹn lại vì bi thương.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of reflection and the human response to it: when one is seen deeply contemplating (often about duty, loss, or right conduct), it can stir profound remorse or concern in others. It sets a tone of humility and seriousness before moral instruction is given.
Bhīṣma notes that the king, noticing someone absorbed in contemplation, becomes deeply sorrowful and repeatedly addresses him in a subdued voice—signaling an emotionally charged moment that precedes further questioning or counsel.