Shloka 17
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Grief, Kṛṣṇa’s Consolation, and Vyāsa’s Admonition (युधिष्ठिरशोक-निवारणोपदेशः)
तथाप्रवृत्तो नृपतिर्नाधिबन्धेन युज्यसे । मोक्षधर्माश्न निखिला याथातथ्येन ते श्रुता:
tathāpravṛtto nṛpatir nādhibandhena yujyase | mokṣadharmāś ca nikhilā yāthātathyena te śrutāḥ ||
युधिष्ठिर बोले— “उस प्रकार आचरण करनेवाला राजा मानसिक बन्धन और चिन्ता से नहीं बँधता। और तुमने मोक्षधर्म के समस्त उपदेश भी उनके यथार्थ अर्थ सहित सुने हैं।”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Right conduct aligned with dharma frees a ruler from the bondage of mental affliction (ādhi). True understanding of mokṣa-dharma supports inner steadiness and reduces anxiety born of attachment and confusion.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses his listener (contextually within the Ashvamedhika discussions) and affirms that a king who follows the prescribed righteous course is not overwhelmed by worry, reminding him that he has already heard the complete teachings on liberation in their proper sense.