Shloka 20
अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
गुणैरनेकै: प्रवरैश्न युक्तो विज्ञानवान् नैव च निष्ठरो यः । स्नेहादमर्ष सहते सदैव स सोमदत्त: पूजनीयो मतो मे
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
guṇair anekaiḥ pravaraiś ca yukto vijñānavān naiva ca niṣṭhuro yaḥ |
snehād amarṣaṃ sahate sadaiva sa somadattaḥ pūjanīyo mato me ||
Yudhiṣṭhira sprach: „Mit vielen erlesenen Tugenden geschmückt und von Einsicht, ohne auch nur den geringsten Anflug von Härte, und der aus Zuneigung stets unseren Zorn erträgt—auch Somadatta, so meine ich, verdient Verehrung.“
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Yudhiṣṭhira upholds an ethical ideal: true worthiness of honor lies in excellent character—wisdom, gentleness (absence of harshness), and patient forbearance of others’ anger, especially when motivated by affection and a desire to preserve relationships.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Yudhiṣṭhira speaks of those who deserve respect even amid rising conflict. He singles out Somadatta as a virtuous, wise, and non-harsh person who repeatedly endures the Pandavas’ anger out of goodwill, and therefore should be honored.