Shloka 24
Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna Saṃvāda in Indraprastha: Consolation, Legitimation, and Leave for Dvārakā (आश्वमेधिकपर्व, अध्याय १५)
यद्यपि पाण्डुपुत्र युधिष्ठिर हमारे शासक और शिक्षक हैं तो भी हमलोगोंने शिक्षा दी है और जन श्रेष्ठ महात्माने हमारी उन सभी बातोंको भलीभाँति स्वीकार किया है ।।
vāyudeva uvāca | yady api pāṇḍuputra yudhiṣṭhira asmākaṃ śāsakaś ca śikṣakaś ca, tathāpi vayam eva śikṣāṃ dattavantaḥ; janaśreṣṭho mahātmā ca asmākaṃ tāḥ sarvāḥ kathāḥ samyag abhyupagataḥ || dharmaputre hi dharmajñe kṛtajñe satyavādini | satyaṃ dharmo matiś cāgryā sthitiś ca satataṃ sthirā ||
Vāyudeva dijo: «Aunque Yudhiṣṭhira, hijo de Pāṇḍu, es nuestro soberano y nuestro maestro, aun así fuimos nosotros quienes le ofrecimos instrucción; y aquel mejor de los hombres, el magnánimo, aceptó todas nuestras palabras con el espíritu debido. Pues en Dharmaputra—conocedor del dharma, agradecido y veraz—la verdad, la rectitud, el discernimiento más alto y una dignidad firme permanecen siempre inquebrantables.»
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
True leadership is marked by stable virtues: truthfulness, commitment to dharma, refined discernment, gratitude, and unwavering steadiness. Even a ruler-teacher like Yudhiṣṭhira remains exemplary because these qualities are continually firm in him, and he is receptive to sound counsel.
Vāyu speaks in praise of Yudhiṣṭhira, noting that although Yudhiṣṭhira is their superior and instructor, he still accepts instruction offered to him. The passage underscores Yudhiṣṭhira’s character—his truth, dharma, wisdom, and steadfast dignity.