Shloka 12
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Grief, Kṛṣṇa’s Consolation, and Vyāsa’s Admonition (युधिष्ठिरशोक-निवारणोपदेशः)
न हि शान्तिं प्रपश्यामि पातयित्वा पितामहम्
na hi śāntiṃ prapaśyāmi pātayitvā pitāmaham
Yudhiṣṭhira dit : «Je ne vois pas comment la paix pourrait jamais venir à moi après avoir fait tomber le grand aïeul.» Dans cette plainte, il mesure la victoire à l’aune du dharma et de la conscience, sentant que la chute de Bhīṣma—vénéré comme un ancien et pilier moral—teinte le triomphe de chagrin et de trouble intérieur.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when an act is performed under the pressure of duty and war, harming a revered elder can leave a lasting moral wound; true śānti is not guaranteed by victory, but depends on ethical reconciliation and inner accountability.
In the aftermath of the great war, Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on the downfall of Bhīṣma (the Pitāmaha). He confesses that he cannot envision peace for himself, because the victory feels morally burdened by the act of bringing down the grandsire.