Shloka 17
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Reproof and Vow-Logic: On Dice-Deception, Exile Terms, and the Governance of Anger
Adhyāya 35
नात: पापीयसी काचिदापदू राजन् भविष्यति । यन्ञो नीचैरल्पबलै राज्यमाच्छिद्य भुज्यते,राजन्! इससे बढ़कर अत्यन्त दुःखदायिनी विपत्ति और क्या होगी कि नीच और दुर्बल शत्रु हम बलवानोंका राज्य छीनकर उसका उपभोग कर रहे हैं
nātaḥ pāpīyasī kācid āpadū rājan bhaviṣyati | yanno nīcair alpabalai rājyaṃ ācchidya bhujyate, rājan |
Bhīmasena said: “O King, there can be no calamity more grievous than this: that low and feeble men have seized the kingdom and now enjoy it. For us who are strong, this is the bitterest misfortune.”
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and political disgrace of unjust usurpation: when unworthy, weak, and base-minded people seize rightful sovereignty and enjoy it, it is a profound calamity—especially for those obligated by kṣatriya-dharma to protect justice and rightful order.
In the Vana Parva, during the Pandavas’ forest exile, Bhīma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira, expressing anguish and indignation that the Kauravas—portrayed here as unworthy and morally low—have taken the kingdom and are enjoying it while the rightful rulers suffer.