Shloka 33
ऋषिसमागमः — युधिष्ठिरस्य शोकवर्णनम्
Sage Assembly and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Articulation of Grief
प्राप्तान् विषह्ां श्वतुरो न हनिष्यामि ते सुतान् । पज्चैव हि सुता देवि भविष्यन्ति तव ध्रुवा:
prāptān viṣahān śvaturō na haniṣyāmi te sutān | pañcaiva hi sutā devi bhaviṣyanti tava dhruvāḥ ||
युधिष्ठिर बोले—“वे मेरे वश में आ गए हैं और हानि करने में समर्थ भी हैं, फिर भी मैं तुम्हारे पुत्रों का वध नहीं करूँगा। हे देवि, तुम्हारे पाँच पुत्र अवश्य होंगे—यह निश्चय है।”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights Yudhiṣṭhira’s dharmic restraint: even when opponents are within his power and potentially dangerous, he chooses not to kill. Ethical kingship is shown as self-control and compassion rather than vengeance.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a goddess (devī), declaring that he will not slay her sons despite their being within reach. He then assures her of a destined outcome: she will certainly have five sons.