Shloka 15
Adhyāya 136: Yavakrī–Bharadvāja Saṃvāda and the Bāladhī–Dhanuṣākṣa Gāthā
Arrogance, Boons, and Nimitta
यवक्री: पितरं दृष्टवा तपस्विनमसत्कृतम् । दृष्टवा च सत्कृतं विप्रै रैभ्यं पुत्रै: सहानघ,निष्पाप युधिष्ठिर! यवक्रीतने देखा, मेरे तपस्वी पिताका लोग सत्कार नहीं करते हैं; परंतु पुत्रोंसहित रैभ्यका ब्राह्मणोंद्वारा बड़ा आदर होता है
Yavakrīḥ pitaraṃ dṛṣṭvā tapasvinam asatkṛtam | dṛṣṭvā ca satkṛtaṃ viprair Raibhyaṃ putraiḥ sahānagha niṣpāpa Yudhiṣṭhira |
Lomaśa said: “O sinless Yudhiṣṭhira, when Yavakrī saw that his own father—an ascetic—was not shown due honor, yet Raibhya, together with his sons, was highly respected by the brāhmaṇas, a painful resentment arose in him. From this contrast of honor and neglect, the seed of rivalry and misguided striving was sown.”
लोमश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how attachment to social recognition can distort judgment: comparing honor received by others with neglect shown to one’s own can breed envy and lead to unethical choices. Dharma calls for steadiness, humility, and right intention rather than status-driven resentment.
Lomaśa narrates that Yavakrī observes a contrast: his ascetic father is not properly honored, while Raibhya and his sons are greatly respected by brāhmaṇas. This observation becomes a turning point that fuels Yavakrī’s inner conflict and sets the stage for subsequent actions in the episode.