Shloka 2
सांख्ययोगभेदः तथा योगबलोपदेशः
Sāṃkhya–Yoga Distinction and Instruction on Yogic Strength
कथं देवर्षिरुशना सदा काव्यो महामति: । असुराणां प्रियकर: सुराणामप्रिये रत:,परम बुद्धिमान् कवित्वसम्पन्न देवर्षि उशना क्यों सदा ही असुरोंका प्रिय तथा देवताओंका अप्रिय करनेमें लगे रहते हैं?
kathaṁ devarṣir uśanā sadā kāvyo mahāmatiḥ | asurāṇāṁ priyakaraḥ surāṇām apriye rataḥ ||
યુધિષ્ઠિરે પૂછ્યું—મહામતિ દેવર્ષિ ઉશના (કાવ્ય) કેમ સદા અસુરોને પ્રિય કરે છે અને દેવતાઓને અપ્રિય થાય તેમાં જ કેમ રત રહે છે?
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical puzzle about a wise person’s apparent partiality: how a renowned seer can consistently favor one side (the Asuras) and act against another (the Devas). It invites reflection on loyalty, obligation, and whether ‘good counsel’ is determined by the recipient’s nature or by universal dharma.
In Shanti Parva’s instructional setting, Yudhishthira raises a pointed question about the famed seer Ushanas (Shukra), known as the Asuras’ preceptor. He asks why such a great intellect seems continually aligned with the Asuras and opposed to the Devas, setting up an explanation about Ushanas’s role, motives, or duties.