Shloka 36
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Lament for Karṇa and Renunciation-Oriented Self-Assessment (शोक-प्रलापः / त्याग-प्रवृत्तिः)
Devanagari script
धनंजय कृतं पापं कल्याणेनोपहन्यते
Transliteration
dhanañjaya kṛtaṃ pāpaṃ kalyāṇenopahanyate
Translation
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O Dhanañjaya, the sin that has been committed is struck down and nullified by righteous good—by auspicious, beneficial conduct.”
Word by Word
धनंजयO Dhanañjaya (Arjuna)
धनंजय:
TypeNoun
Rootधनंजय
FormMasculine, Vocative, Singular
कृतम्done, committed
कृतम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootकृ (क्त)
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
पापम्sin, evil deed
पापम्:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootपाप
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
कल्याणेनby good (deeds), by auspiciousness
कल्याणेन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootकल्याण
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
उपहन्यतेis destroyed/neutralized
उपहन्यते:
TypeVerb
Rootउप-हन्
FormPresent, Third, Singular, Atmanepada, Passive
Speaker
युधिछिर उवाच
Characters & Entities
Y
YudhiṣṭhiraD
Dhanañjaya (Arjuna)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Cross References
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
Wrongdoing (pāpa) is not treated as irreversible; it can be counteracted through kalyāṇa—constructive, dharmic action that repairs harm and reorients one toward righteousness.
In the Śānti Parva’s reflective setting after the war, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Arjuna (Dhanañjaya), framing a moral principle: past sin is overcome by subsequent virtuous conduct, emphasizing ethical restoration rather than despair.