Shloka 14
Bhāgīrathī-tīra-śauca, Kurukṣetra-gamana, and Śatayūpa-āśrama-dīkṣā (गङ्गातीरशौच–कुरुक्षेत्रगमन–शतयूपाश्रमदीक्षा)
हतान् पुत्रान् महावीर्यनन् क्षत्रधर्मपरायणान् । नापध्यायति वा कच्चिदस्मान् पापकृत: सदा
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca—hatān putrān mahāvīryān kṣatradharmaparāyaṇān | nāpadhyāyati vā kaccid asmān pāpakṛtaḥ sadā ||
Yudhiṣṭhira dit : «Ses fils — puissants en vaillance et fermes dans le dharma du guerrier — ont été tués. Ne s’en afflige-t-elle donc pas du tout ? Et, à quelque moment que ce soit, nourrit-elle une mauvaise volonté contre nous, qui avons sans cesse commis la faute (les coupables) ?»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after victory, ethical responsibility remains: Yudhiṣṭhira’s question shows remorse and moral vigilance—recognizing the suffering caused by war and fearing that the wronged may justly grieve or resent. It highlights the Mahābhārata theme that dharma includes accountability and compassion, not merely success in conflict.
In the Āśramavāsika episode, the Pāṇḍavas reflect on the elders living in austerity after the war. Yudhiṣṭhira asks whether Gāndhārī, whose heroic sons were killed, grieves for them and whether she harbors ill will toward the Pāṇḍavas, whom he calls ‘wrongdoers’ out of guilt for the war’s devastation.