Shloka 35
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
दयावान् सर्वभूतेषु हीनिषेवो महास्त्रवित् । मृदुश्च सुकुमारश्न धार्मिकश्च प्रियश्ष मे
dayāvān sarvabhūteṣu hrīniṣevo mahāstravit | mṛduś ca sukumāraś ca dhārmikaś ca priyaś ca me |
Vaiśampāyana dijo: «Él es compasivo con todos los seres, modesto y dado a rebajarse; gran conocedor de las armas. De ánimo suave y delicado, recto en el dharma, y para mí especialmente querido. Oh Madhusūdana Kṛṣṇa, dime las nuevas de ese heroico Sahadeva, hijo de Mādrī: arquero eminente que resplandece en el campo de batalla, servidor de todos sus hermanos, diestro en discernir dharma y artha, y en el vigor de la juventud. Su conducta benéfica es alabada por todos sus hermanos; es devoto del hermano mayor, guía en las guerras y siempre atento a servirme. Háblame de él».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ideal kṣatriya excellence as inseparable from ethical virtues: compassion toward all beings, modesty, gentleness, and dharmic conduct, alongside martial competence. It also elevates service to elders and solidarity with brothers as marks of true nobility.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war context, a speaker (as reported by Vaiśampāyana) asks Kṛṣṇa (Madhusūdana) for news about Sahadeva. Sahadeva is praised through a catalogue of virtues—battlefield prowess, discernment of dharma and artha, and devoted service—highlighting his role and character among the Pāṇḍavas.