Shloka 21
Chapter 59: Baladeva’s Censure, Keśava’s Restraint, and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Moral Accounting
इत्युक्त्वा भीमसेनं तु साश्रुकण्ठो युधिष्ठिर: । उपसृत्याब्रवीद् दीनो दुर्योधनमरिंदमम्,भीमसेनसे ऐसा कहकर राजा युधिष्छिर दीनभावसे शत्रुदमन दुर्योधनके पास गये और अश्रुगद्गद कण्ठसे इस प्रकार बोले--
ity uktvā bhīmasenaṃ tu sāśrukaṇṭho yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | upasṛtyābravīd dīno duryodhanam arindamam ||
Sañjaya said: Having spoken thus to Bhīmasena, Yudhiṣṭhira—his voice choked with tears—approached the foe-subduing Duryodhana. In deep dejection, he addressed him as follows—
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in victory, dharma demands moral sensitivity: Yudhiṣṭhira’s tear-choked approach to his fallen rival reflects the ethical weight of violence and the capacity for compassion and accountability after conflict.
After speaking to Bhīma, Yudhiṣṭhira—overcome with sorrow—walks up to Duryodhana and begins to address him. The verse sets the emotional and ethical tone for Yudhiṣṭhira’s forthcoming words to his enemy.