Shloka 3
आशा-कृशता उपाख्यानम्
The Episode on the Emaciation Caused by Hope
पितामहाशा महती ममासीद्धि सुयोधने । प्राप्ते युद्धे तु तद् युक्त तत् कर्तायमिति प्रभो,पितामह! दुर्योधनपर मेरी बड़ी भारी आशा थी कि युद्धका अवसर उपस्थित होनेपर वह उचित कार्य करेगा। प्रभो! मैं समझता था कि वह युद्ध किये बिना ही मुझे आधा राज्य लौटा देगा
Pitāmahāśā mahatī mamāsīd dhi Suyodhane | prāpte yuddhe tu tad yuktaṃ tat kartāyam iti prabho, Pitāmaha!
ユディシュティラは言った。「おお、ピターマハ（大祖父）よ、私はスヨーダナ（ドゥルヨーダナ）に大いなる望みを託していた。戦の時が来れば、彼は正しき道を選び、しかるべきことを行うと信じていたのだ。尊きピターマハよ、私は、戦を強いることなく彼が私に王国の半分を返すものと信じていた。」
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical expectation that even at the brink of war, a ruler should choose the ‘yukta’ (proper, dharmic) course—restraint, fairness, and restitution—rather than letting pride and greed compel violence.
In the Śānti Parva dialogue, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Bhīṣma, recalling that he had hoped Duryodhana would act rightly when war became imminent—specifically, that he would return half the kingdom without forcing a battle.