Mahabharata 9.31.58 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 31, Shloka 58
गदायुद्धप्रतिज्ञा — The Vow and Terms of the Mace Duel
त्वया दत्तां न चेच्छेयं पृथिवीमखिलामहम् । त्वां तु युद्धे विनिर्जित्य भोक्तास्मि वसुधामिमाम्
tvayā dattāṃ na ceccheyaṃ pṛthivīm akhilām aham | tvāṃ tu yuddhe vinirjitya bhoktāsmi vasudhām imām ||
Yudhiṣṭhira declares that he does not wish to accept even the entire earth as a gift from his opponent. He insists that he will enjoy and rule this land only after defeating him in battle—affirming that sovereignty must be earned through rightful victory, not received as a concession that would compromise honor and dharma in the midst of war.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate rule should be grounded in dharmic victory and rightful conduct, not in accepting a kingdom as a mere gift from an adversary; honor and moral clarity matter even amid war.
Yudhiṣṭhira responds to an offer or suggestion of receiving the earth without fighting, rejecting it and stating that he will accept sovereignty only after defeating the opponent in battle.
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