Shloka 29
पाण्डवानां पाञ्चालगमनम्
The Pāṇḍavas’ Journey toward Pāñcāla and News of the Svayaṃvara
वसिष्ठ उवाच क्षत्रियाणां बल॑ तेजो ब्राह्मुणानां क्षमा बलम् | क्षमा मां भजते यस्माद् गम्यतां यदि रोचते,वसिष्ठजी बोले--भद्रे! क्षत्रियोंका बल उनका तेज है और ब्राह्मणोंका बल उनकी क्षमा है। चूँकि मुझे क्षमा अपनाये हुए है, अतः तुम्हारी रुचि हो, तो जा सकती हो
vasiṣṭha uvāca | kṣatriyāṇāṃ balaṃ tejo brāhmaṇānāṃ kṣamā balam | kṣamā māṃ bhajate yasmād gamyatāṃ yadi rocate ||
Vasiṣṭha said: “For kṣatriyas, strength lies in fiery valor; for brāhmaṇas, strength lies in forbearance. Since forbearance has taken refuge in me, you may go, if it pleases you.”
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts role-based virtues: a kṣatriya’s defining power is tejas (martial vigor and commanding energy), while a brāhmaṇa’s defining power is kṣamā (forbearance/forgiveness). True strength is presented as the virtue appropriate to one’s dharma, with Vasiṣṭha emphasizing restraint as his own guiding force.
Vasiṣṭha speaks to someone seeking leave to depart. He frames his response through dharma: as a brāhmaṇa-sage, his ‘strength’ is forgiveness, and because he abides in forbearance, he grants permission—“you may go, if you wish.”