Shloka 3
Chapter 61: Karṇa’s martial assurances and Bhīṣma’s strategic rebuttal in the Kuru assembly
महापराधे हाापि यन्न तेन महर्षिणाहं गुरुणा च शप्तः । शक्तः प्रदग्धुं हपि तिग्मतेजा: ससागरामप्यवनिं महर्षि:,यद्यपि मेरे द्वारा उन महर्षिका महान् अपराध हुआ था, तथापि उन गुरुदेवने जो मुझे शाप नहीं दिया, यह उनका मेरे ऊपर बहुत बड़ा अनुग्रह है। अन्यथा वे प्रचण्ड तेजस्वी महामुनि समुद्रसहित सारी पृथ्वीको भी दग्ध कर सकते हैं
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca | mahāparādhe hy api yan na tena maharṣiṇāhaṃ guruṇā ca śaptaḥ | śaktaḥ pradagdhuṃ hy api tigmatejāḥ sa-sāgarām apy avanīṃ maharṣiḥ ||
毗湿摩波耶那说道：“纵然我对那位大圣者犯下重罪，而那位可敬的导师却未以诅咒加诸于我——此乃对我莫大的恩泽。因为那位烈焰般的大仙，凭其炽盛的苦行威力，足以焚尽大地，连同诸海。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint and compassion: even when a disciple errs gravely, a true guru may choose mercy over punishment. It also underscores the responsibility that accompanies spiritual power—great ascetic energy is not meant for impulsive destruction but for disciplined, dharmic control.
Vaiśaṃpāyana reflects on having committed a serious offense and acknowledges that his revered teacher, a powerful maharṣi, refrained from cursing him. He emphasizes how immense the sage’s power is—capable of burning the earth and oceans—thereby portraying the teacher’s restraint as a significant act of grace.