Shloka 22
Mahāprasthānika-parva Adhyāya 2: The Northward March, Sight of Himavat and Meru, and the Sequential Falls
अवमेने धरनुग्रहानेष सर्वाश्व॒ फाल्गुन: । तथा चैतन्न तु तथा कर्तव्यं भूतिमिच्छता,अर्जुनने सम्पूर्ण धनुर्धरोंका अपमान भी किया था; अत: अपना कल्याण चाहनेवाले पुरुषको ऐसा नहीं करना चाहिये
avamene dhanuḥ-grahāṇeṣu sarvān aśva-phālgunaḥ | tathā caitat na tu tathā kartavyaṃ bhūtim icchatā ||
Dijo Yudhiṣṭhira: “Aśvaphālguna (Arjuna) mostró una vez desprecio hacia todos los diestros en el manejo del arco. Pero quien busca el verdadero bien y una prosperidad duradera no debe obrar así.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a great hero may err through pride; a person seeking true welfare (bhūti) should avoid contempt and disrespect, especially toward the capable and deserving.
In the Mahāprasthānika context, Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on conduct and consequences, citing Arjuna’s earlier disdain toward other archers as an example of behavior that should not be repeated by one aiming at lasting good.