Shloka 12
हरिणा चन्दनेनाड्रमुपलिप्य महाभुज: । स्रग्वी चाक्लिष्टवसन: प्राड्मुख: प्राउजलि: स्थित:,फिर वे महाबाहु युधिष्ठिर अपने सारे अंगोंमें हरिचन्दनका अनुलेपन करके नूतन वस्त्र और पुष्पमाला धारण किये हाथ जोड़े पूर्वांभिमुख होकर बैठ गये
sañjaya uvāca |
hariṇā candanenārdram upalipya mahābhujaḥ |
sragvī cākliṣṭavasanaḥ prāṅmukhaḥ prāñjaliḥ sthitaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Having anointed his body with moist, yellow sandal-paste, that mighty-armed king stood adorned with a garland and clad in fresh, unsoiled garments. Facing east, with hands joined in reverence, he remained poised—signaling a deliberate turn toward ritual purity, self-restraint, and dharmic resolve amid the pressures of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the midst of conflict, dharmic leadership emphasizes inner discipline and outward restraint: cleanliness, reverence, and deliberate orientation toward auspicious action. The verse frames ritual composure as a moral counterweight to the chaos of war.
Sañjaya describes Yudhiṣṭhira preparing in a formal, auspicious manner—anointing himself with yellow sandal paste, wearing a garland and clean clothes, and standing (or remaining) facing east with folded hands—indicating readiness for prayer, vow, or a solemn rite before the next action.