Shloka 22
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 188 — Draupadī-Vivāha Dharma-Vicāra
Debate on the Legitimacy of One Wife for Five
योडसौ पुरस्तात् कमलायताक्ष- स्तनुर्महासिंहगतिर्विनीत: । गौर: प्रलम्बोज्ज्वलचारुघोणो विनि:सृतः सो<च्युत धर्मपुत्र:,“अच्युत! जो विकसित कमलदलके समान विशाल नेत्रोंवाले, दुबले-पतले, विनयशील, गोरे, महान् सिंहकी-सी चालसे चलनेवाले तथा लंबी, सुन्दर एवं मनोहर नाकवाले पुरुष (अभी यहाँसे) निकले हैं, वे धर्मपुत्र युधिष्ठिर हैं
yo 'sau purastāt kamalāyatākṣas tanur mahāsiṃhagatir vinītaḥ | gauraḥ pralambojjvalacārughoṇo viniḥsṛtaḥ so 'cyuta dharmaputraḥ ||
“O Acyuta, that man who has just gone out in front—lotus-petaled wide-eyed, slender in build, modest in demeanor, fair in complexion, moving with the majestic gait of a great lion, and bearing a long, radiant, handsome nose—he is Dharmaputra (Yudhiṣṭhira).”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse implies that inner dharma and self-discipline manifest outwardly as modesty, controlled movement, and dignified presence; ethical stature is reflected in demeanor, not merely in words or status.
The speaker identifies a man who has just departed from the scene and describes his distinguishing features, revealing him to be Dharmaputra Yudhiṣṭhira, addressed to Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa).