Shloka 24
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
वृतः सर्वैस्तथा विप्रैराशीर्वादविवक्षुभि: । पर:सहसे राजेन्द्र तपोनियमसंवृतै:
vṛtaḥ sarvais tathā viprair āśīrvādavivakṣubhiḥ | paraḥsahase rājendra taponiyamasaṃvṛtaiḥ ||
毗舍摩波耶那说道：噢，诸王之最！那恶罗刹四面被婆罗门所环绕——他们克制于苦行与戒律，愿赐祝福者多逾千人——然而此獠一心欲灭大魂的般度族，却未先征得诸婆罗门许可，便径自对尤提士提罗王开口。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint and proper conduct in sacred assemblies: even when surrounded by ascetic brāhmaṇas prepared to bless, a malicious person violates decorum by speaking without seeking consent. It contrasts the sanctity of tapas and niyama with the rākṣasa’s harmful intent, implying that dharma includes respecting spiritual authority and communal protocol.
Vaiśampāyana describes a scene where a wicked rākṣasa, encircled by more than a thousand austere brāhmaṇas wishing to offer blessings, aims at the Pāṇḍavas’ destruction. He addresses King Yudhiṣṭhira directly, doing so without first obtaining the brāhmaṇas’ permission.