Shloka 11
संवरणस्य पतनं, सचिवोपचारः, वसिष्ठस्य सूर्योपगमनम्
Saṃvaraṇa’s Collapse, Ministerial Aid, and Vasiṣṭha’s Approach to Sūrya
तस्य व्यवसितत्त्यागो बुद्धिमास्थाय कां त्वया । कच्चिन्नु दु:खैरबुद्धिस्ते विलुप्ता गतचेतस:,जिसके बल-पराक्रमका आश्रय लेकर हमलोग धृतराष्ट्रपुत्रोंको मारकर धन-धान्यसे सम्पन्न इस (सम्पूर्ण) पृथ्वीको अपने अधिकारमें आयी हुई ही मानते हैं, उस बलवान पुत्रके त्यागका निश्चय आपने किस बुद्धिसे किया है? क्या आप अनेक दु:खोंके कारण अपनी चेतना खो बैठी हैं? आपकी बुद्धि लुप्त हो गयी है
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | tasya vyavasitatyāgo buddhim āsthāya kāṃ tvayā | kaccin nu duḥkhair abuddhis te viluptā gatacetasaḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira disse: “Apoiados na força e no heroísmo desse filho poderoso, julgamos que a morte dos filhos de Dhṛtarāṣṭra e a conquista desta terra próspera já estão ao nosso alcance. Com que juízo, então, resolveste abandoná-lo? Teriam as dores repetidas roubado a tua lucidez—tornando tua mente vacilante e fazendo perder o teu entendimento?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical demand for clear discernment (buddhi) in moments of crisis: major decisions—especially abandoning a powerful ally or son tied to one’s political and dharmic aims—should not be driven by grief-induced confusion. It frames sorrow as a force that can eclipse judgment, and it urges steadiness of mind when duty and consequence are at stake.
Yudhiṣṭhira challenges a decision to give up “that mighty son,” whose strength is seen as pivotal for overcoming Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons and securing the kingdom. He questions the rationale behind this renunciation and worries that the decision-maker has been overwhelmed by suffering, losing mental clarity and sound judgment.