Shloka 18
अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
भ्राता कनीयानपि तस्य मन्द- स्तथाशील: संजय सो<पि शश्चवत् | महेष्वास: शूरतम: कुरूणां दुःशासन: कुशलं तात वाच्य:
bhrātā kanīyān api tasya mandaḥ tathāśīlaḥ saṃjaya so 'pi śaśvat | maheṣvāsaḥ śūratamaḥ kurūṇāṃ duḥśāsanaḥ kuśalaṃ tāta vācyaḥ ||
Lieber Sañjaya! Überbringe auch meinen Gruß und erkundige dich nach dem Wohlergehen Duḥśāsanas — Duryodhanas jüngeren Bruders, von gleicher stumpfer Art und gleicher Gewohnheit. Obgleich er stets zum Unrecht neigt, ist er unter den Kurus als großer Bogenschütze und hervorragender Kämpfer berühmt. Frage nach seinem Befinden und richte ihm meine Botschaft aus, dass es mir wohl ergeht.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even while condemning wrongdoing, Yudhiṣṭhira maintains civility and a dharmic restraint: he acknowledges Duḥśāsana’s faults yet still extends formal welfare and respect, modeling ethical speech and self-control amid hostility.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Yudhiṣṭhira instructs Sañjaya to convey greetings and inquire after the welfare of Kaurava figures, including Duḥśāsana, describing him as Duryodhana’s younger brother—foolish and habitually sinful—yet renowned as a great archer and warrior among the Kurus.