Shloka 58
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 71 — Kṣatra-dharma Counsel, Public Legitimacy, and Mobilization
अनुबन्धश्न पापोजअत्र शेषश्चाप्यवशिष्यते | शेषो हि बलमासाद्य न शेषमनुशेषयेत्
anubandhaś ca pāpo 'tra śeṣaś cāpy avaśiṣyate | śeṣo hi balam āsādya na śeṣam anuśeṣayet ||
قال يودهيشثيرا: «في هذا الأمر، إنّ العاقبة نفسها إثم، ومع ذلك يبقى شيءٌ من البقية. فإنّ الناجي، إذا ما نال القوة، لا يترك بقيةً وراءه—بل يمضي فيستأصل ما تبقّى.»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Yudhiṣṭhira highlights the moral and practical danger of violent conflict: its ‘aftermath’ is inherently tainted, and leaving a surviving remnant can invite renewed hostility, since a survivor who regains strength may seek to eradicate the remaining opposition.
In the Udyoga Parva’s deliberations before the great war, Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on the grim logic of enmity and retaliation: even if one side is reduced, a surviving remainder can later return with power, escalating destruction and deepening sin.