Shloka 323
भीमसेनस्य वेगाभिपातः—विशोकसारथिसंवादश्च
Bhīma’s surge and dialogue with charioteer Viśoka
यतस्त्वं पुरुषव्याप्र मामेवाद्य जिघांससि | पुरुषसिंह! तुम जो आज मुझे ही मार डालना चाहते हो, यह न तो तुम्हारा प्रेम है और न कृतज्ञता
yatas tvaṃ puruṣavyāpra mām evādya jighāṃsasi | puruṣasiṃha!
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Since you, O best of men, seek to slay me alone today—O lion among men—this cannot be called affection, nor can it be called gratitude.”
(युधिष्टिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts true affection and gratitude with hostile intent: ethical bonds (love, indebtedness) are shown not by words or titles but by actions, especially in moments of power and conflict.
In the Karṇa Parva battle context, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a formidable opponent who is intent on killing him that day, challenging the moral legitimacy of that intent by denying it can be justified as ‘love’ or ‘gratitude.’