Shloka 22
Mahāprasthānika-parva Adhyāya 2: The Northward March, Sight of Himavat and Meru, and the Sequential Falls
अवमेने धरनुग्रहानेष सर्वाश्व॒ फाल्गुन: । तथा चैतन्न तु तथा कर्तव्यं भूतिमिच्छता,अर्जुनने सम्पूर्ण धनुर्धरोंका अपमान भी किया था; अत: अपना कल्याण चाहनेवाले पुरुषको ऐसा नहीं करना चाहिये
avamene dhanuḥ-grahāṇeṣu sarvān aśva-phālgunaḥ | tathā caitat na tu tathā kartavyaṃ bhūtim icchatā ||
Yudhiṣṭhira berkata: “Aśvaphālguna (Arjuna) pernah memandang hina semua yang mahir mengendalikan busur. Namun sesiapa yang menginginkan kebajikan sejati dan kemakmuran yang berkekalan tidak wajar bertindak demikian.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a great hero may err through pride; a person seeking true welfare (bhūti) should avoid contempt and disrespect, especially toward the capable and deserving.
In the Mahāprasthānika context, Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on conduct and consequences, citing Arjuna’s earlier disdain toward other archers as an example of behavior that should not be repeated by one aiming at lasting good.