Shloka 326
Udyoga Parva Adhyāya 132 — Vidura’s Counsel on Udyama, Yaśas, and Kṣātra-Dharma
क्षमावान् निरमर्षश्न नैव स्त्री न पुन: पुमान् । जिस क्षत्रियके हृदयमें अमर्ष है और जो शत्रुओंके प्रति क्षमाभाव धारण नहीं करता
kṣamāvān niramārṣaś ca naiva strī na punaḥ pumān |
ヴァーユは言った。「真に忍耐深く、報復の怨みを抱かぬ者は、武人の語法においては『女』でも『男』でもない。クシャトリヤを『男』たらしめるのは、胸中の正義の憤りという火と、敵に不相応な寛恕を与えぬ決断である。だが、ただ赦すばかりでその気魄に欠ける者は、クシャトリヤと呼ぶに値せず、その言い回しでは、まともな『男』とも言えぬ。」
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts two dispositions—kṣamā (forbearance) and amarṣa (spirited indignation). In a Kṣatriya-centered moral idiom, mere forgiveness without martial resolve is criticized; the teaching asserts that a warrior’s identity is tied to protective firmness and intolerance of affronts or injustice, not to passive forbearance.
Vāyudeva is speaking within the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war counsel and moral debate, where different voices articulate what conduct is appropriate as conflict approaches. Here he frames an idealized (and polemical) definition of Kṣatriya character, emphasizing mettle and readiness to oppose enemies.