Shloka 37
भवांक्षाप्यार्जवपर: पूर्व कृत्वा प्रतिश्रयम् । राजवृत्तं न लभते प्रतिज्ञापालने रत:,युधिष्ठिर! तुम अत्यन्त सरल हो, इसीसे तुमने पहले ही भगवान् वासुदेवकी शरण ली और अपनी प्रतिज्ञाके पालनमें तत्पर रहकर राजोचित बर्तावको तुम ग्रहण नहीं कर रहे हो
bhavān kṣāpya ārjavaparaḥ pūrvaṃ kṛtvā pratiśrayam | rājavṛttaṃ na labhate pratijñāpālane rataḥ, yudhiṣṭhira |
Bhishma said: “Yudhishthira, because you are exceedingly straightforward and devoted to integrity, you earlier took refuge in Lord Vasudeva. And now, being intent on keeping your vow, you are not adopting the conduct and expedients considered proper to kingship.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma highlights a tension within dharma: personal integrity and strict vow-keeping can sometimes prevent a ruler from employing the flexible, strategic conduct expected in kingship (rājavṛtta). He implies that a king must balance truthfulness and promises with the practical demands of governance.
Bhishma addresses Yudhishthira, characterizing him as exceptionally straightforward and devoted to keeping promises. He notes that Yudhishthira has already taken refuge in Vasudeva (Krishna), yet because he is absorbed in fulfilling his vow, he is not embracing the full range of royal conduct and expedients appropriate to a king.