Shloka 33
Kṣānti–Tejas Viveka: Prahlāda’s Instruction to Bali
Draupadī’s Application
आक्रुष्टस्ताडित: क्रुद्धः क्षमते यो बलीयसा । यश्व नित्यं जितक्रोधो विद्वानुत्तमपूरुष:,जो बलवान पुरुषके गाली देने या कुपित होकर मारनेपर भी क्षमा कर जाता है तथा जो सदा अपने क्रोधको काबूमें रखता है, वही विद्वान् है और वही श्रेष्ठ पुरुष है
ākruṣṭas tāḍitaḥ kruddhaḥ kṣamate yo balīyasā | yaś ca nityaṁ jitakrodho vidvān uttamapūruṣaḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: The truly wise and the best of men is the one who, even when abused, struck, and provoked to anger by someone stronger, still forgives; and who constantly keeps his wrath conquered. Such self-mastery is upheld here as the mark of ethical excellence and inner strength.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Real strength is shown not by retaliation but by forgiveness and mastery over anger—especially when provoked or harmed by someone more powerful.
In Yudhiṣṭhira’s discourse on dharma and right conduct, he defines the ‘best person’ as one who remains patient under insult and injury and who consistently restrains anger.