Shloka 13
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Grief, Kṛṣṇa’s Consolation, and Vyāsa’s Admonition (युधिष्ठिरशोक-निवारणोपदेशः)
कर्मणा येन मुच्येयमस्मात् क्रूरादरिंदम
karmaṇā yena mucyeyam asmāt krūrād ariṃdama
যুধিষ্ঠির বললেন— হে অরিন্দম! কোন কর্মের দ্বারা আমি এই নিষ্ঠুর ভার থেকে মুক্ত হতে পারি?
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical problem: inner freedom is sought not merely through words but through the right kind of action (karma) that can cleanse or release one from a cruel burden—typically understood in this context as guilt, grief, or the harsh aftermath of violence and responsibility.
In the Ashvamedhika Parva’s post-war setting, Yudhiṣṭhira voices a plea to be shown what deed can free him from a cruel condition. He addresses another figure with the epithet ‘ariṃdama’ (“subduer of foes”), indicating he is seeking counsel from a powerful, authoritative interlocutor.