Shloka 11
Udyoga Parva, Adhyaya 31 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Instructions to Sañjaya
Peace Appeal and Five-Village Proposal
संजय उवाच सहामात्य: कुशली पाण्डुपुत्रो बुभूषते यच्च तेडग्रे55त्मनो5 भूत् । निर्णिक्तर्मार्थकरो मनस्वी बहुश्रुतो दृष्टिमाज्छीलवांश्ष
sañjaya uvāca | sahāmātyaḥ kuśalī pāṇḍuputro bubhūṣate yac ca te ’gre ’tmano ’bhūt | nirṇiktaḥ arthakaro manasvī bahuśrutaḥ dṛṣṭimān śīlavāṃś ca ||
Sanjaya said: The son of Pandu (Yudhiṣṭhira) is well, together with his ministers. He seeks to regain what formerly belonged to him in your presence—his kingdom and wealth. Pure in intention, he pursues dharma and rightful prosperity, is high-minded, learned, far-sighted, and of good conduct.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames rightful political claim as grounded in personal virtue: a king should seek prosperity (artha) without abandoning righteousness (dharma), and legitimacy is reinforced by purity of intent, learning, foresight, and good conduct.
Sanjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Yudhiṣṭhira is safe with his counsellors and intends to recover what was formerly his—kingdom and wealth—presenting him as ethically qualified and prudent, thereby strengthening the Pandavas’ moral and political position in the negotiations preceding war.