Shloka 21
Mudgalasya Svarga-nirvedaḥ
Mudgala’s Disenchantment with Heaven
तदनन्तर बन्धनमुक्त हुए दुर्योधनसे भाइयोंसहित युधिष्ठिरने प्रेमपूर्वक यह बात कही --
tadanantaraṁ bandhanamuktaḥ san duryodhanena saha bhrātṛbhiḥ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ premṇā idaṁ vacanam uvāca —
Then, after being released from captivity, Yudhiṣṭhira—together with his brothers and in the presence of Duryodhana—spoke these words with affectionate restraint. The moment frames Yudhiṣṭhira’s characteristic ethic: even amid rivalry and injury, he chooses measured speech and goodwill, seeking to uphold dignity and dharma rather than inflame hostility.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in conflict, dharma is protected through restraint and benevolent speech. Yudhiṣṭhira’s affectionate address models how a righteous person avoids vindictiveness and seeks to preserve moral order and social dignity.
After a situation of captivity ends and Duryodhana is freed, Yudhiṣṭhira, accompanied by his brothers, speaks to him kindly. The verse functions as a narrative transition introducing Yudhiṣṭhira’s forthcoming words.