Shloka 40
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Lament for Karṇa and Renunciation-Oriented Self-Assessment (शोक-प्रलापः / त्याग-प्रवृत्तिः)
वनमामन्त्र्य व: सर्वान् गमिष्यामि परंतप । न हि कृत्स्नतमो धर्म: शक््य: प्राप्तुमिति श्रुति:
vanam āmantrya vaḥ sarvān gamiṣyāmi paraṃtapa | na hi kṛtsnatamo dharmaḥ śakyaḥ prāptum iti śrutiḥ ||
യുധിഷ്ഠിരൻ പറഞ്ഞു— ഹേ പരന്തപ, നിങ്ങളൊക്കെയോടും വിടപറഞ്ഞ് ഞാൻ വനത്തിലേക്ക് പോകുന്നു. കാരണം ശ്രുതി പറയുന്നു: ധർമ്മത്തെ അതിന്റെ പൂർണ്ണതയിൽ മുഴുവനായി പ്രാപിക്കുക ആരാലും സാധ്യമല്ല.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes ethical humility: even with sincere effort, no person can perfectly realize the entirety of dharma. Recognizing this limitation, one should act conscientiously, seek guidance from authoritative tradition, and accept that moral life involves complexity rather than absolute completeness.
Yudhiṣṭhira announces his intention to depart for the forest after formally taking leave of those present. He supports this decision by citing śruti—authoritative tradition—stating that complete attainment of dharma is not possible, implying a turn toward renunciant reflection and continued striving rather than claiming moral finality.