Shloka 3
Chapter 15: Counsel on Initiative vs. Renunciation in the Rajasuya Project (सभापर्व, अध्याय १५)
कथं परानुभावज्ञ: स्वं प्रशंसितुमरहति । परेण समवेतस्तु यः प्रशस्य: स पूज्यते
kathaṁ parānubhāvajñaḥ svaṁ praśaṁsitum arhati | pareṇa samavetastu yaḥ praśasyaḥ sa pūjyate ||
Yudhiṣṭhira dijo: «¿Cómo puede alguien que conoce la grandeza y la influencia de los demás ser digno de alabarse a sí mismo? Más bien, aquel que sigue siendo digno de elogio aun cuando se le pone junto a otro—cuando la comparación es inevitable—solo él es honrado en todas partes.»
युधिछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Self-praise is ethically improper for one who truly recognizes others’ merits; genuine excellence is validated when it withstands comparison and is acknowledged by others, leading to rightful honor.
In the Sabha Parva court setting, Yudhiṣṭhira speaks with restraint and humility, emphasizing that true praise and public honor arise from demonstrated worth rather than self-advertisement.