Shloka 20
धृतराष्ट्रस्य युधिष्ठिरं प्रति व्यवहार-रक्षा-नियमनोपदेशः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Instruction on Administration, Punishment, and Daily Governance
कुतस्त्वमसि विस्मृत्य वैरं द्वादशवार्षिकम्
kutastvam asi vismṛtya vairaṃ dvādaśavārṣikam
¿Cómo es que tú, habiendo olvidado la enemistad que duró doce años, ahora hablas y actúas como si nada hubiera sido? La pregunta aprieta la tensión moral entre recordar las ofensas pasadas y elegir la contención, y pone en duda si la reconciliación es verdadera sabiduría o mera falta de vigilancia.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical dilemma of how far one should let past hostility govern present conduct. It probes whether forgetting long-standing enmity is a mark of dharmic forgiveness and strategic peace, or an imprudent neglect of hard-earned lessons.
Vaiśampāyana reports a pointed challenge directed at someone whose current stance seems inconsistent with a prolonged feud. The speaker expresses astonishment that a twelve-year hostility could be ‘forgotten,’ implying a sudden shift toward trust, reconciliation, or complacency.