Shloka 56
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 71 — Kṣatra-dharma Counsel, Public Legitimacy, and Mobilization
ये होव धीरा ह्वीमन्त आर्या: करुणवेदिन:
ye ha vā dhīrā hrīmantā āryāḥ karuṇavedinaḥ | te hi prāyo yuddhe hanyante ’dhamā jīvanti mānavāḥ || janārdana! śatrūn hatvāpi teṣāṃ sadā manasi paścāttāpo bhavati ||
إنّ الذين هم ثابتون، متواضعون، نبلاء، ذوو رحمة—يبدو أنّهم هم الذين يُقتلون في الحرب في الغالب، بينما ينجو أهل الدناءة. يا جاناردانا، حتى بعد قتل الأعداء يبقى في القلب ندمٌ مقيمٌ عليهم.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral paradox of war: the virtuous—steady, modest, noble, compassionate—often perish, while the ignoble survive; and even when killing is directed against enemies, ethical sensitivity produces lasting remorse.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Kṛṣṇa (Janārdana), lamenting the injustice and inner cost of warfare: good people are cut down, and the act of slaying foes leaves a persistent burden of regret in the mind.