Shloka 9
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
निश्चित्य मनसा सर्व गुणदोषबलाबलम् | दग्धुकाम: कुलं सर्व कुशिकानां तपोधन:
niścitya manasā sarva-guṇa-doṣa-balābalam | dagdhukāmaḥ kulaṃ sarvaṃ kuśikānāṃ tapodhanaḥ |
毗湿摩说：苦行者赤耶婆那在心中坚决定意——衡量了一切功德与过失、强与弱之后——决意焚尽俱尸迦一族的全体宗支，遂作此断。因为他早已得知：若与俱尸迦族的少女结成婚姻盟约，自己的家族之中将生起一桩严重的“刹帝利之污点”。于是，他在内心审度此事的法与非、义与不义的权衡之后，怀着要使俱尸迦全族化为灰烬的欲念，前往接近俱尸迦王。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical deliberation (weighing guṇa-doṣa and balābala) before action, while also warning that even a reasoned mind can be overtaken by wrath and the urge for disproportionate retaliation—raising questions about dharma when lineage, social identity, and perceived dishonor are involved.
Chyavana, a sage of the Bhṛgu line, foresees a serious blemish arising in his family due to a marital connection with a Kushika maiden. After mentally assessing pros and cons, he becomes intent on destroying the Kushika clan and approaches King Kushika with that destructive purpose.