Shloka 44
यदात्मना स्वमात्मान प्रशंसे पुरुषर्षभ । यथाप्रज्ञं तु ते प्रश्नान् प्रतिवक्ष्यामि पूच्छ माम्
yad ātmanā svam ātmānaṁ praśaṁse puruṣarṣabha | yathāprajñaṁ tu te praśnān prativakṣyāmi pṛccha mām ||
Yudhiṣṭhira dit : «Ô le meilleur des hommes, se louer soi-même de sa propre bouche n’est pas une louange que les véritables vertueux approuvent. Pourtant, selon mon entendement, je répondrai à tes questions. Interroge-moi.»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint in speech: self-praise is not esteemed among the virtuous. Even when compelled to speak about oneself, one should remain modest and answer only within the limits of one’s true understanding.
In the Yakṣa–Yudhiṣṭhira dialogue, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses the Yakṣa respectfully and agrees to respond to the Yakṣa’s questions. He signals humility—disavowing self-glorification—while committing to answer as best as his intellect allows.