Shloka 24
Kṣānti–Tejas Viveka: Prahlāda’s Instruction to Bali
Draupadī’s Application
यदि सर्वमबुद्धीनामतिक्रान्तमचेतसाम् | अतिक्रमो मद्विधस्य कथंस्वित् स्यादनिन्दिते,साध्वी द्रौपदी! यदि मूर्ख और अविवेकी मनुष्य क्षमा आदि सद्गुणोंका उल्लंघन कर जाते हैं तो मेरे-जैसा विज्ञ पुरुष उनका अतिक्रमण कैसे कर सकता है?
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | yadi sarvam abuddhīnām atikrāntam acetāsām | atikramaḥ madvidhasya kathaṃsvit syād anindite sādhvī draupadī |
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “If even the foolish and undiscerning—those whose minds lack steadiness—overstep the bounds of forbearance and other virtues, then how could one like me, who is expected to know what is right, ever commit such a transgression? O blameless one, noble Draupadī!”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Greater knowledge brings greater moral responsibility: one who claims discernment must be even more careful not to violate virtues like forbearance and self-restraint; excuses that might apply to the foolish do not justify the wise.
In the forest-exile context, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Draupadī, reflecting on ethical limits and the danger of ‘overstepping’ virtue; he frames himself as accountable to a higher standard than the ignorant.