Adhyāya 152: Kaurava-sainyavibhāgaḥ
Division and Standardization of the Kaurava Host
अजातशशभ्रुरत्यर्थ भीमसेनवशानुग: । निकृतश्च मया पूर्व सह सर्व: सहोदरै:,“अजातशत्रु युधिष्ठिर भी अधिकतर भीमसेनके वशमें रहा करते हैं। इसके सिवा मैंने पहले सब भाइयोंसहित उनका तिरस्कार भी किया है
ajātaśatrur atyarthaṁ bhīmasenavaśānugaḥ | nikṛtaś ca mayā pūrvaṁ saha sarvaḥ sahodaraiḥ ||
अजातशत्रु युधिष्ठिर हे अत्यंत प्रमाणात भीमसेनाच्या प्रभावाखाली वागणारे होते. आणि पूर्वी मी त्यांच्या सर्व सहोदर भावांसह त्यांचा तिरस्कारही केला आहे.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights ethical accountability: even a righteous person like Yudhiṣṭhira can be wronged through contempt and political pressure, and acknowledging such wrongdoing is a step toward moral repair. It also cautions against judging or manipulating a dhārmic leader by assuming he merely follows another’s forceful will.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war context, the speaker reports a confession/recognition of prior misconduct: Yudhiṣṭhira (Ajātaśatru) is described as greatly acting under Bhīma’s influence, and the speaker admits having earlier insulted him along with his brothers—framing past offenses that bear on present negotiations and the unfolding conflict.