Shloka 56
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 71 — Kṣatra-dharma Counsel, Public Legitimacy, and Mobilization
ये होव धीरा ह्वीमन्त आर्या: करुणवेदिन:
ye ha vā dhīrā hrīmantā āryāḥ karuṇavedinaḥ | te hi prāyo yuddhe hanyante ’dhamā jīvanti mānavāḥ || janārdana! śatrūn hatvāpi teṣāṃ sadā manasi paścāttāpo bhavati ||
Mereka yang teguh, tahu malu, mulia, dan berbelas kasih—justru merekalah yang paling sering gugur di medan perang, sedangkan orang-orang berbudi rendah kerap lolos hidup. Wahai Janārdana, bahkan setelah membunuh musuh, penyesalan yang menetap tetap tinggal di dalam hati karena mereka.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral paradox of war: the virtuous—steady, modest, noble, compassionate—often perish, while the ignoble survive; and even when killing is directed against enemies, ethical sensitivity produces lasting remorse.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Kṛṣṇa (Janārdana), lamenting the injustice and inner cost of warfare: good people are cut down, and the act of slaying foes leaves a persistent burden of regret in the mind.