Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 173
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
किंच्विदं त्विति विज्ञाय विस्मयं परमं गता: । राजाके पुत्र, स्त्रियाँ, सेवक तथा नगर और जनपदके लोग, “यह क्या हुआ?'--ऐसी जिज्ञासा करते हुए बड़े आश्वर्यमें पड़ गये
kiñ cvidaṃ tv iti vijñāya vismayaṃ paramaṃ gatāḥ | rājā ca putrāḥ striyaḥ sevakāś ca tathā nagara-janapada-lokāḥ “kiṃ nu khalv idam abhūt?” iti jijñāsamānā mahad āścaryam āpannāḥ ||
他们明白了“这究竟是什么？”便被极大的惊愕所攫住。国王、诸王子、妇女、侍从，以及城中与乡野的百姓，皆追问“发生了什么？”，一齐陷入深深的惊异之中。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a social-ethical moment: when an unexpected event occurs, all strata of society—ruler, family, women, servants, and the wider populace—turn to inquiry. It underscores the dharmic impulse to seek clarity before judgment, showing that responsible response begins with understanding.
Bhishma describes a scene of collective bewilderment: the king and the entire community, from palace to city and countryside, are struck with great wonder and ask, “What has happened?” The verse functions as a narrative pivot, emphasizing the magnitude of the event by depicting universal astonishment.