Shloka 12
दुर्योधनस्य पारुष्यं तत् तात हृदि मा कृथा: । मातरं चैव गान्धारीं मां च त्वं गुणकाड्क्षया
duryodhanasya pāruṣyaṃ tat tāta hṛdi mā kṛthāḥ | mātaraṃ caiva gāndhārīṃ māṃ ca tvaṃ guṇakāṅkṣayā ||
Dear one, do not take Duryodhana’s harshness to heart. Out of regard for virtue and good conduct, show consideration for my mother Gandhārī—and for me as well.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Yudhiṣṭhira urges restraint and forgiveness: one should not internalize another’s harsh words, and should maintain respectful conduct—especially toward elders and family—guided by guṇa (virtue/propriety) rather than anger.
In the royal assembly context, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses someone close (tāta), advising them not to be wounded by Duryodhana’s rude behavior and to continue showing due regard to Gandhārī (the elder queen) and to Yudhiṣṭhira himself, prioritizing decorum and dharma.