Shloka 9
वयं हि क्षत्रिया राजन् पाण्डो: पुत्रा महात्मन: । ज्येष्ठ मां विद्धि कौन्तेयं भीमसेनार्जुनाविमौ,राजन! हमलोग क्षत्रिय ही हैं, महात्मा पाण्डुके पुत्र हैं। मुझे कुन्तीका ज्येष्ठ पुत्र समझिये, ये दोनों भीमसेन और अर्जुन हैं
vayaṁ hi kṣatriyā rājan pāṇḍoḥ putrā mahātmanaḥ | jyeṣṭhaṁ māṁ viddhi kaunteyaṁ bhīmasenārjunāv imau ||
Yudhiṣṭhira declares their identity and lineage: “O King, we are indeed kṣatriyas, the sons of the great-souled Pāṇḍu. Know me as Kuntī’s eldest son; and these two here are Bhīmasena and Arjuna.” In the ethical frame of the epic, the statement functions as a formal self-introduction grounded in birth, duty, and rightful standing, asserting their kṣatriya responsibility and legitimate place in the royal order.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes rightful identity grounded in dharma: one’s social duty (kṣatriya responsibility) and legitimate lineage are not merely personal facts but ethical claims that establish standing, accountability, and proper conduct in royal and political contexts.
Yudhiṣṭhira formally introduces himself and his brothers to a king, stating that they are kṣatriyas and the sons of Pāṇḍu, identifying himself as Kuntī’s eldest and pointing out Bhīmasena and Arjuna as the two accompanying him.