Shloka 22
शान्ति पर्व (अध्याय 38): युधिष्ठिरस्य राजधर्म-जिज्ञासा तथा भीष्मोपसर्पण-प्रस्तावना | Shanti Parva Chapter 38: Yudhishthira’s Inquiry into Rajadharma and the Prelude to Approaching Bhishma
निःशब्दे च स्थिते तत्र ततो विप्रजने पुन: । राजानं ब्राह्मणच्छय््या चार्वाको राक्षसो<ब्रवीत्
niḥśabde ca sthite tatra tato viprajane punaḥ | rājānaṃ brāhmaṇacchāyā cārvāko rākṣaso 'bravīt ||
当在场众人尽皆沉默，婆罗门的集会也再次静立无言之时，那名为迦尔瓦迦（Cārvāka）的罗刹——伪装成婆罗门的形貌——便准备向尤提士提罗王开口。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that outward signs of sanctity or authority can be counterfeit; dharma requires viveka (discernment) so that a king or community is not misled by appearances.
After the brāhmaṇas fall silent in the assembly, the rākṣasa Cārvāka, disguised as a brāhmaṇa, steps forward to speak to King Yudhiṣṭhira, setting up a moment of moral and political testing.