Shloka 3
Rāmopākhyāna—Rāma–Sītā Origins and the Opening of Rāvaṇa’s Genealogy
अपरे त्वब्रुवंस्तत्र वातिकास्तं महीपतिम् । युधिष्ठिरस्य यज्ञेन न समो होष ते क्रतुः,वहीं कुछ ऐसे लोग भी थे, जिनका मस्तिष्क वातरोगसे विकृत था--कब क्या कहना उचित है, इसको वे नहीं जानते थे, अतः राजा दुर्योधनको सम्बोधित करके कहने लगे --'राजन्! आपका यह यज्ञ युधिष्ठिरके यज्ञके समान नहीं था”
apare tv abruvaṃs tatra vātikās taṃ mahīpatim | yudhiṣṭhirasya yajñena na samo hoṣa te kratuḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: There, however, some others—men whose minds were unsettled by a windy (vāta) disorder and who lacked a sense of what should or should not be said—addressed that king and declared: “O King, this sacrifice of yours is not equal to Yudhiṣṭhira’s sacrifice.” The remark, spoken without discernment, stings the ruler’s pride and hints at the moral danger of careless speech in a charged political setting.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of speech: indiscreet, ill-timed words—especially those that compare and belittle—can inflame pride and hostility. It implicitly warns that lack of discernment (what to say, when, and to whom) becomes a moral fault with real consequences.
Some tactless people address the king (understood as Duryodhana) and tell him that his sacrifice is not equal to Yudhiṣṭhira’s. The comment functions as a provocation, sharpening rivalry and resentment around royal prestige and ritual accomplishment.