Shloka 14
शास्त्रज्ञा देशकालज्ञास्तपोयुक्ता: क्रियान्विता: । अकृत्वा सदृशं कर्म कि शेध्वं पुरुषर्षभा:,धर्मपुत्रो महाबाहुर्विललाप सुविस्तरम् । अर्जुन मरे पड़े थे; उनके धनुष-बाण इधर-उधर बिखरे थे। भीमसेन और नकुल-सहदेव भी प्राणरहित हो निश्रेष्ट हो गये थे। इन सबको देखकर युधिष्ठिर गरम-गरम लंबी साँसें खींचने लगे। उनके नेत्रोंसे शोकके आँसू उमड़कर उन्हें भिगो रहे थे। अपने समस्त भ्राताओंको इस प्रकार धराशायी हुए देख महाबाह धर्मपुत्र युधिष्ठिर गहरी चिन्तामें डूब गये और देरतक विलाप करते रहे-- 'पुरुषसिंह बन्धुओ! तुमलोग शास्त्रोंके विद्वान देशकालको समझनेवाले, तपस्वी और कर्मठ वीर थे। अपने योग्य पराक्रम किये बिना ही तुमलोग (प्राणहीन हो) कैसे सो रहे हो?
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca |
śāstrajñā deśakālajñās tapoyuktāḥ kriyānvitāḥ |
akṛtvā sadṛśaṃ karma kiṃ śedhvaṃ puruṣarṣabhāḥ |
dharmaputro mahābāhur vilalāpa suvistaram ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “O bull-like men, you were learned in the scriptures, discerning of place and time, disciplined in austerity, and steadfast in action. Without performing deeds worthy of your strength, why do you lie thus?” Seeing his brothers fallen and lifeless, Dharmaputra Yudhiṣṭhira—mighty-armed—was overwhelmed by grief and lamented at length, his sorrow sharpened by the ethical shock that such capable, duty-minded warriors should perish before fulfilling their fitting work.
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of context-sensitive dharma: true excellence combines scriptural understanding, discernment of time and place, disciplined self-control, and effective action. Yudhiṣṭhira’s lament underscores the tragedy when capable, duty-oriented persons die before accomplishing the work befitting their station and strength.
After seeing his brothers lying fallen and apparently lifeless, Yudhiṣṭhira is overcome with grief. He addresses them as exemplary men—learned, discerning, ascetic, and active—and asks why they lie there without having performed deeds worthy of them, expressing prolonged lamentation.