Shloka 24
अध्याय ७१ — द्रोणव्यूहरक्षा तथा समकालीन द्वन्द्वयुद्धानि
Protection of Droṇa’s formation and parallel duels
वागीशाने भगवति व्यासे व्यभ्रनभ:प्रभे । गते मतिमतां श्रेष्ठे समाश्वास्य युधिछ्चिरम्,बिना बादलके आकाशकी-सी कान्तिवाले, बुद्धिमानोंमें श्रेष्ठ वागीश्वर भगवान् व्यास जब युधिष्ठिरको आश्वासन देकर चले गये, तब देवराज इन्द्रके समान पराक्रमी और न्यायसे धन प्राप्त करनेवाले प्राचीन राजाओंके उस यज्ञ-वैभवकी कथा सुनकर दिद्दान् युधिष्ठिर मन-ही-मन उनके प्रति आदरकी भावना करते हुए शोकसे रहित हो गये। तदनन्तर फिर दीनभावसे यह सोचने लगे कि अर्जुनसे मैं क्या कहूँगा
vāgīśāne bhagavati vyāse vyabhranabhaḥprabhe | gate matimatāṃ śreṣṭhe samāśvāsya yudhiṣṭhiram ciram |
Vyāsa said: When the blessed Vyāsa—lord of speech, radiant like a cloudless sky, and foremost among the wise—had long consoled Yudhiṣṭhira and then departed, Yudhiṣṭhira, having heard the account of the ancient kings’ sacrificial splendor and their Indra-like valor joined with wealth gained through justice, became inwardly reverent toward them and was freed from grief. Yet soon after, a humble anxiety returned: “What shall I say to Arjuna?”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when grief is eased by wise counsel, a dharmic ruler must still face responsibility: reverence for righteous exemplars and the ideal of wealth gained through justice can steady the mind, yet one must return to duty—especially truthful, accountable speech toward those most affected (here, Arjuna).
Vyāsa has finished consoling Yudhiṣṭhira and departs. Hearing of the ancient kings’ righteous grandeur and sacrificial prosperity, Yudhiṣṭhira becomes momentarily free of sorrow and feels respect; then he again grows anxious, wondering how he should speak to Arjuna.