Shloka 21
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
अजातशश्न्रुर्थर्मात्मा शुद्धजाम्बूनदप्रभ: । श्रेष्ठ: कुरुषु सर्वेषु धर्मत: श्रुतवृत्तत: | प्रियदर्शो दीर्घभुज: कथं कृष्ण युधिषछ्िर:
vaiśampāyana uvāca | ajātaśatrur dharmātmā śuddhajāmbūnadaprabhaḥ | śreṣṭhaḥ kuruṣu sarveṣu dharmataḥ śrutavṛttataḥ | priyadarśo dīrghabhujaḥ kathaṃ kṛṣṇa yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «¿Cómo está ahora Yudhiṣṭhira, oh Kṛṣṇa—él a quien llaman Ajātaśatru, cuya naturaleza misma es el dharma; cuyo resplandor es como el oro puro de Jāmbūnada; el primero entre todos los Kurus en rectitud, saber y conducta; grato a la vista; y de largos brazos (poderoso)?»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ideal kingship as grounded in dharma, learning (śruta), and exemplary conduct (vṛtta). External splendor (gold-like radiance) is presented as secondary to inner righteousness, suggesting that moral character is the true measure of greatness.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war setting, Vaiśampāyana reports a respectful inquiry addressed to Kṛṣṇa about Yudhiṣṭhira’s present condition, praising him with epithets that emphasize his non-hostility (Ajātaśatru), righteousness, and royal excellence among the Kurus.