Shloka 13
Adhyāya 55 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Hesitation and Bhīṣma’s Authorization of Inquiry
Rājadharma Prelude
“जिन्होंने शास्त्रोंके रहस्यका श्रवण किया है, जो सदा ही यज्ञ, स्वाध्याय और धर्ममें लगे रहनेवाले तथा क्षमाशील हैं, वे पाण्डुनन्दन युधिष्ठिर मुझसे प्रश्न करें” ।।
vāyudeva uvāca | lajjayā parayopeto dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | abhiśāpabhayād bhīto bhavantaṃ nopasarpati | pūjyān mānyāṃś ca bhaktāṃś ca gurūn sambandhi-bāndhavān | arghya-haniṣubhir bhittvā bhavantaṃ nopasarpati |
ବାୟୁଦେବ କହିଲେ—ଧର୍ମରାଜ ଯୁଧିଷ୍ଠିର ଗଭୀର ଲଜ୍ଜାରେ ଆବୃତ ଓ ଶାପଭୟରେ ଭୀତ; ତେଣୁ ସେ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ଆସୁନାହିଁ। ପୂଜ୍ୟ ଓ ମାନ୍ୟ—ଗୁରୁଜନ, ଭକ୍ତଜନ, ଏବଂ ଅର୍ଘ୍ୟାଦି ଦ୍ୱାରା ସତ୍କାରଯୋଗ୍ୟ ସମ୍ବନ୍ଧୀ-ବାନ୍ଧବମାନଙ୍କୁ ସେ ନିଜ ବାଣରେ ବିଦ୍ଧ କରିଛି; ସେହି ଭୟରୁ ଏବେ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ସାନ୍ନିଧ୍ୟକୁ ଆସୁନାହିଁ।
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a righteous person can be overwhelmed by moral shame after violence, especially when it harms those traditionally owed reverence (gurus, elders, kin). The verse highlights the ethical weight of actions and the fear of spiritual/social consequences (a curse) that can follow wrongdoing or perceived wrongdoing.
Vāyudeva explains why Yudhiṣṭhira is not approaching the addressed revered figure: Yudhiṣṭhira feels intense shame and fears being cursed because, in the course of conflict, he has struck down or wounded people who were worthy of honor—teachers, elders, devotees, and relatives—so he hesitates to come near.