Shloka 4
दानपात्रापात्र-निर्णयः / Determining Worthy Gifts, Recipients, and Permissible Food
धर्मचर्या च राज्यं च नित्यमेव विरुध्यते । एवं मुहाति मे चेतश्चिन्तयानस्य नित्यश:
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | dharmacaryā ca rājyaṃ ca nityam eva virudhyate | evaṃ muhyati me cetaś cintayānasya nityaśaḥ |
ਇੱਕ ਪਾਸੇ ਧਰਮ ਦਾ ਆਚਰਨ, ਦੂਜੇ ਪਾਸੇ ਰਾਜ ਦਾ ਪਾਲਣ—ਇਹ ਦੋਵੇਂ ਸਦਾ ਹੀ ਇਕ-ਦੂਜੇ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਜਾਪਦੇ ਹਨ। ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਨਿੱਤ ਸੋਚਦਿਆਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਚਿੱਤ ਮੋਹਿਤ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ; ਲਗਾਤਾਰ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਘੇਰ ਲੈਂਦੀ ਹੈ।
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a classic Mahābhārata problem: personal righteousness (dharmacaryā) can appear to clash with the practical demands of ruling (rājya). Yudhiṣṭhira’s confession highlights that ethical governance is not automatic; it requires discernment to reconcile competing duties rather than choosing one duty blindly.
In Śānti Parva, after the war, Yudhiṣṭhira is troubled and seeks instruction on dharma and kingship. Here he voices his ongoing mental turmoil: repeated contemplation of how to rule without violating dharma leaves him confused and inwardly clouded.