Shloka 4
दानपात्रापात्र-निर्णयः / Determining Worthy Gifts, Recipients, and Permissible Food
धर्मचर्या च राज्यं च नित्यमेव विरुध्यते । एवं मुहाति मे चेतश्चिन्तयानस्य नित्यश:,एक ओर धर्मका आचरण और दूसरी ओर राज्यका पालन--ये दोनों सदा एक दूसरेके विरुद्ध हैं। यह सोचकर मुझे निरन्तर चिन्ता बनी रहती है और मेरे चित्तपर मोह छा रहा है
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | dharmacaryā ca rājyaṃ ca nityam eva virudhyate | evaṃ muhyati me cetaś cintayānasya nityaśaḥ |
Dijo Yudhiṣṭhira: «La práctica del dharma y el gobierno de un reino parecen, en verdad, oponerse constantemente. Al pensar en ello una y otra vez, mi mente se confunde; la reflexión incesante ha tendido un velo de ilusión sobre mi corazón».
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a classic Mahābhārata problem: personal righteousness (dharmacaryā) can appear to clash with the practical demands of ruling (rājya). Yudhiṣṭhira’s confession highlights that ethical governance is not automatic; it requires discernment to reconcile competing duties rather than choosing one duty blindly.
In Śānti Parva, after the war, Yudhiṣṭhira is troubled and seeks instruction on dharma and kingship. Here he voices his ongoing mental turmoil: repeated contemplation of how to rule without violating dharma leaves him confused and inwardly clouded.