Shloka 2
Śānti Parva 116: Criteria for Royal Servants and Administrative Competence (भृत्य-गुण-प्रश्नः / राजसेवक-लक्षणम्)
पुरुषाणामयं तात दुर्वत्तानां दुरात्मनाम् । कथितो वाक्यसंचारस्ततो विज्ञापयामि ते,तात! आपने दुरात्मा और दुराचारी पुरुषोंके बोलचालकी चर्चा की है; इसीलिये मैं आपसे कुछ निवेदन कर रहा हूँ
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
puruṣāṇām ayaṃ tāta durvṛttānāṃ durātmanām |
kathito vākyasañcāras tato vijñāpayāmi te, tāta ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Dear father, you have described the manner of speech and conduct typical of wicked, ill-behaved, and evil-minded men. Therefore, on that basis, I now submit a further request to you, revered sir.”
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical inquiry around speech: understanding how the wicked speak and deal in words becomes a basis for discerning right conduct and for asking further guidance about dharma and proper communication.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses an elder respectfully as “tāta,” referring to the elder’s prior explanation about the speech-patterns of immoral people, and then signals that he wishes to make an additional request or ask a follow-up question.