Shloka 5
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 72 — Bhīmasena’s counsel on conciliation and Duryodhana’s disposition
न हि कार्पण्यमास्थाय शक््या वृत्तिर्युधिष्ठिर । विक्रमस्व महाबाहो जहि शत्रून् परंतप
na hi kārpaṇyam āsthāya śakyā vṛttir yudhiṣṭhira | vikramasva mahābāho jahi śatrūn parantapa ||
Denn, o Yudhiṣṭhira mit mächtigen Armen, eines Kṣatriya Lebensunterhalt und rechtmäßiger Stand lassen sich nicht bewahren, wenn er in Niedergeschlagenheit und Selbstmitleid Zuflucht sucht. Zeige deine Tapferkeit, o Bezwinger der Feinde; schlage die Gegner nieder.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A kṣatriya should not let kārpaṇya (dejection/self-pity) paralyze rightful duty; ethical leadership requires courage and decisive action to uphold dharma and protect order.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation context, Yudhiṣṭhira is being exhorted to abandon despair and to act with valor against enemies—an encouragement to commit to the impending conflict as a matter of duty.