Shloka 13
अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
अधीतविद्यक्षरणोपपतन्नो योअस्त्रं चतुष्पात् पुनरेव चक्रे । गन्धर्वपुत्रप्रतिमं तरस्विनं तमश्वत्थामानं कुशल सम पृच्छे:
adhītavidyākṣaraṇopapatanno yo 'straṃ catuṣpāt punar eva cakre | gandharvaputrapratimaṃ tarasvinaṃ tam aśvatthāmānaṃ kuśalaṃ samapṛcche ||
युधिष्ठिर म्हणाला—वेदाध्ययनाने संपन्न व सदाचारयुक्त, चार पादांनी युक्त अशी अस्त्रविद्या ज्यांनी उत्तम रीतीने शिकली आहे, आणि गंधर्वकुमारासारखे वेगवान पराक्रमी वीर—त्या आचार्यपुत्र अश्वत्थाम्याचेही कुशल-समाचार विचार.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid political tension and impending war, Yudhiṣṭhira maintains dharmic courtesy by inquiring after the well-being of others, acknowledging learning, discipline, and merit—even in those aligned with the opposing side.
Yudhiṣṭhira is sending or conveying formal greetings and welfare-inquiries, specifically asking after Aśvatthāmā, praising his Vedic learning, good conduct, and complete training in weapon-science, likening his speed and prowess to that of a Gandharva prince.