Shloka 36
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
सहदेवो महेष्वास: शूर: समितिशो भन: । भ्रातृणां कृष्ण शुश्रूषुर्धर्मार्थकुशलो युवा,“मधुसूदन श्रीकृष्ण! जो समस्त प्राणियोंके प्रति दयालु, लज्जाशील, महान् अस्त्रवेत्ता, कोमल, सुकुमार, धार्मिक तथा मुझे विशेष प्रिय है; जो महाधनुर्धर शूरवीर सहदेव रणभूमिमें शोभा पानेवाला, सभी भाइयोंका सेवक, धर्म और अर्थके विवेचनमें कुशल तथा युवावस्थासे युक्त है; कल्याणकारी आचारवाले जिस महात्मा सहदेवके आचार-व्यवहारकी सभी भाई प्रशंसा करते हैं, जो बड़े भाईके प्रति अनुरक्त, युद्धोंका नेता और मेरी सेवामें तत्पर रहनेवाला है; उस माद्रीकुमार वीर सहदेवका समाचार मुझे बताऔ
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
sahadevo maheṣvāsaḥ śūraḥ samitiśobhanaḥ |
bhrātṝṇāṃ kṛṣṇa śuśrūṣur dharmārthakuśalo yuva ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Sahadeva is a great archer, a hero who shines in the clash of armies. O Kṛṣṇa, he is devoted to serving his brothers, and though still young he is skilled in discerning dharma and artha.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ethical ideal for a warrior: excellence in martial skill and courage should be joined with humility, service to elders and brothers, and practical wisdom in dharma (right conduct) and artha (sound policy and welfare).
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war context, Vaiśampāyana narrates praise of Sahadeva to Kṛṣṇa, highlighting Sahadeva’s battlefield prowess and his devoted service within the Pāṇḍava family, as part of describing the brothers’ qualities and readiness.