Shloka 21
मैत्रेयागमनम् — The Arrival of Maitreya and the Admonition to Duryodhana
काममूर्तिधर: क्रूर: कालकल्पो व्यदृश्यत । तमुवाच ततो राजा दीर्घप्रज्ञो युधिष्ठिर:
kāmamūrtidharaḥ krūraḥ kālakalpo vyadṛśyata | tam uvāca tato rājā dīrghaprajño yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Dia menampakkan diri sebagai makhluk yang kejam, mengambil apa jua rupa yang dikehendakinya—seumpama Kāla, Waktu itu sendiri, dalam wajah pemusnah. Lalu Raja Yudhiṣṭhira, termasyhur dengan kebijaksanaan yang jauh menjangkau, menegurnya, menghadapi saat itu dengan pertimbangan, bukan ketakutan.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when confronted by a terrifying, seemingly unstoppable force—likened to Kāla (Time/Death)—the dharmic response is not panic but clear-sighted speech and inquiry. Yudhiṣṭhira’s 'dīrghaprajñā' signals ethical steadiness: meeting threat with discernment, restraint, and purposeful dialogue.
A fearsome, shape-shifting figure appears, described as cruel and Time-like in power. In response, Yudhiṣṭhira, characterized as a wise king, begins to address the figure—setting up a dialogue where composure and judgment are tested under pressure.