Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 106
राजोवाच प्रस्तुतं सुमहत् कार्यमनयोर्गह्वरं यथा । जापकस्य दृढीकार: कथमेतद् भविष्यति
rājovāca prasṛtaṃ sumahat kāryam anayor gahvaraṃ yathā | jāpakasya dṛḍhīkāraḥ katham etad bhaviṣyati ||
国王说道：“一桩极其重大而又深奥难解之事，如同深壑一般，横亘在这二人面前。那位苦行的‘诵咒者’婆罗门（jāpaka）之坚决主张，亦仍旧丝毫未改。如此，此事当如何了断？”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic tension: when a grave, complex issue arises, steadfast personal vows (here, the jāpaka’s insistence) must be weighed alongside practical governance. It frames ethical decision-making as difficult and deep, requiring careful resolution rather than impulsive action.
The king observes that a major and profound dispute/problem has surfaced involving two parties, and that the japa-practising Brahmin remains unyielding. The king asks how the matter can be settled, setting up the next part of the discussion on how to resolve such a stalemate.