Shloka 47
Kuntī’s Prayers and the Neutralization of the Brahmāstra
Uttarā Protected; Yudhiṣṭhira’s Grief Begins
आह राजा धर्मसुतश्चिन्तयन् सुहृदां वधम् । प्राकृतेनात्मना विप्रा: स्नेहमोहवशं गत: ॥ ४७ ॥
āha rājā dharma-sutaś cintayan suhṛdāṁ vadham prākṛtenātmanā viprāḥ sneha-moha-vaśaṁ gataḥ
Raja Yudhisthira, putera Dharma, terharu dengan kematian rakan-rakannya, berduka seperti orang biasa dan mula berkata-kata.
King Yudhiṣṭhira, though he was not expected to become aggrieved like a common man, became deluded by worldly affection by the will of the Lord (just as Arjuna was apparently deluded). A man who sees knows well that the living entity is neither the body nor the mind, but is transcendental to the material conception of life. The common man thinks of violence and nonviolence in terms of the body, but that is a kind of delusion. Everyone is duty-bound according to one’s occupational duties. A kṣatriya is bound to fight for the right cause, regardless of the opposite party. In such discharge of duty, one should not be disturbed by annihilation of the material body, which is only an external dress of the living soul. All this was perfectly known to Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, but by the will of the Lord he became just like a common man because there was another great idea behind this delusion: the King would be instructed by Bhīṣma as Arjuna was instructed by the Lord Himself.
FAQs
This verse shows that even a righteous king like Yudhiṣṭhira can be overwhelmed by worldly affection and delusion when facing painful dharmic consequences, indicating the need for higher spiritual guidance and devotion.
He reflected on the death of his own well-wishers and relatives in the conflict, and that contemplation pushed him into grief born of material affection and bewilderment.
Recognize how attachment can cloud judgment, seek sāttvika counsel (scripture and saintly guidance), and re-center decisions on dharma and devotion rather than emotional overwhelm.