Shloka 61
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
द्वाविमौ पुरुषव्याप्र सूर्यमण्डलभेदिनौ । परिव्राड् योगयुक्तश्व रणे चाभिमुखो हत:,पुरुषश्रेष्ठ) ये दो प्रकारके पुरुष सूर्यमण्डलको भेदकर ऊर्ध्वगतिको प्राप्त होते हैं-- योगयुक्त संन््यासी और संग्राममें शत्रुओंके सम्मुख युद्ध करके मारा गया योद्धा
dvāv imau puruṣavyāghra sūryamaṇḍalabhedinau | parivrāḍ yogayuktaś ca raṇe cābhimukho hataḥ ||
Vidura said: “O tiger among men, there are two kinds of persons who are said to pierce beyond the solar sphere and attain the upward course: the wandering renunciant who is disciplined in yoga, and the warrior who, facing the enemy in battle, is slain. The teaching is that both steadfast inner renunciation and fearless, duty-bound sacrifice in a righteous fight can lead to the highest passage.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Two distinct dharmic paths can lead to the highest ascent: (1) disciplined renunciation grounded in yoga, and (2) courageous, duty-aligned self-offering in battle—specifically dying while facing the enemy rather than fleeing.
Vidura instructs the addressed noble (puruṣavyāghra) by contrasting the spiritual merit of a yogic renunciant with that of a warrior who dies honorably in combat, emphasizing steadfastness and integrity in one’s chosen duty.