Shloka 68
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 68 — Pāṇḍavānāṃ Vanavāsa-prasthānaḥ; Duḥśāsana-nindā; Pāṇḍava-pratijñāḥ
दोनों ही उस कन्याको पानेकी इच्छासे “मैं श्रेष्ठ हूँ, मैं श्रेष्ठ हूँ ऐसा कहने लगे। मेरे सुननेमें आया है कि उन दोनोंने अपनी बात सत्य करनेके लिये प्राणोंकी बाजी लगा दी ।।
tayor praśnavivādo 'bhūt prahlādaṃ tāv apṛcchatām | jyāyān ka āvayor ekaḥ praśnaṃ brūhi mā mṛṣā ||
وبدافعٍ من رغبةٍ واحدة في نيل الفتاة، انغمس الخصمان في جدالٍ من أسئلةٍ وأجوبةٍ حول مَن هو الأَفضل. فلما اشتدّ نزاعهما على الأسبقية، قصدا برهلادا وسألاه: «أيُّنا أعظم؟ أجب عن هذا السؤال بالحق—ولا تنطق بالكذب.»
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical demand for satya (truth): even in heated rivalry and high-stakes disputes, one must speak without falsehood. It also cautions that obsession with superiority (śreṣṭhatā) turns desire into ego-driven conflict.
Two contenders, competing for the same maiden, argue over who is superior. Their dispute escalates, so they approach Prahlāda as an authority and ask him to declare which of them is greater, insisting that he answer truthfully and not lie.