Shloka 3
उशनसः (शुक्रस्य) चरितम् — The Account of Uśanā (Śukra): Yoga, Grievance, and Pacification
कदा वयं करिष्याम: संन्यासं दुःखसंज्ञकम् | दुःखमेतच्छरीराणां धारणं कुरुसत्तम
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | kadā vayaṁ kariṣyāmaḥ saṁnyāsaṁ duḥkhasaṁjñakam | duḥkham etac charīrāṇāṁ dhāraṇaṁ kurusattama ||
ಯುಧಿಷ್ಠಿರನು ಹೇಳಿದನು— ಕುರುಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠನೇ! ‘ದುಃಖ’ವೆಂದು ಕರೆಯಲ್ಪಡುವ ಸಂನ್ಯಾಸವನ್ನು ನಾವು ಯಾವಾಗ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳುವೆವು? ಏಕೆಂದರೆ ಈ ದೇಹಗಳನ್ನು ಧರಿಸುವುದೇ ನನಗೆ ದುಃಖವಾಗಿ ತೋರುತ್ತದೆ।
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames embodied existence as inherently burdensome and points toward saṁnyāsa (renunciation) as a response to pervasive duḥkha. It signals an ethical turn from external action to inner release—questioning when it is appropriate to lay down worldly striving and seek liberation-oriented discipline.
In the Śānti Parva’s post-war reflective setting, Yudhiṣṭhira voices weariness with worldly life and the pain of sustaining the body. Addressing a revered Kuru elder (kurusattama), he asks when they will adopt renunciation, indicating his growing inclination toward ascetic counsel and liberation-focused dharma.