Shloka 323
भीमसेनस्य वेगाभिपातः—विशोकसारथिसंवादश्च
Bhīma’s surge and dialogue with charioteer Viśoka
यतस्त्वं पुरुषव्याप्र मामेवाद्य जिघांससि | पुरुषसिंह! तुम जो आज मुझे ही मार डालना चाहते हो, यह न तो तुम्हारा प्रेम है और न कृतज्ञता
yatas tvaṃ puruṣavyāpra mām evādya jighāṃsasi | puruṣasiṃha!
Yudhiṣṭhira dit : «Puisque toi, ô le meilleur des hommes—lion parmi les hommes—tu cherches aujourd’hui à me tuer, moi seul, cela ne saurait s’appeler affection, ni s’appeler gratitude.»
(युधिष्टिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts true affection and gratitude with hostile intent: ethical bonds (love, indebtedness) are shown not by words or titles but by actions, especially in moments of power and conflict.
In the Karṇa Parva battle context, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a formidable opponent who is intent on killing him that day, challenging the moral legitimacy of that intent by denying it can be justified as ‘love’ or ‘gratitude.’