Shloka 24
Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna Saṃvāda in Indraprastha: Consolation, Legitimation, and Leave for Dvārakā (आश्वमेधिकपर्व, अध्याय १५)
यद्यपि पाण्डुपुत्र युधिष्ठिर हमारे शासक और शिक्षक हैं तो भी हमलोगोंने शिक्षा दी है और जन श्रेष्ठ महात्माने हमारी उन सभी बातोंको भलीभाँति स्वीकार किया है ।।
vāyudeva uvāca | yady api pāṇḍuputra yudhiṣṭhira asmākaṃ śāsakaś ca śikṣakaś ca, tathāpi vayam eva śikṣāṃ dattavantaḥ; janaśreṣṭho mahātmā ca asmākaṃ tāḥ sarvāḥ kathāḥ samyag abhyupagataḥ || dharmaputre hi dharmajñe kṛtajñe satyavādini | satyaṃ dharmo matiś cāgryā sthitiś ca satataṃ sthirā ||
Vāyudeva disse: “Embora Yudhiṣṭhira, filho de Pāṇḍu, seja nosso governante e nosso mestre, ainda assim fomos nós que lhe oferecemos instrução; e aquele melhor dos homens, o grande de alma, acolheu todas as nossas palavras no espírito devido. Pois em Dharmaputra—conhecedor do dharma, grato e veraz—verdade, retidão, o mais alto discernimento e uma dignidade firme permanecem continuamente estáveis.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
True leadership is marked by stable virtues: truthfulness, commitment to dharma, refined discernment, gratitude, and unwavering steadiness. Even a ruler-teacher like Yudhiṣṭhira remains exemplary because these qualities are continually firm in him, and he is receptive to sound counsel.
Vāyu speaks in praise of Yudhiṣṭhira, noting that although Yudhiṣṭhira is their superior and instructor, he still accepts instruction offered to him. The passage underscores Yudhiṣṭhira’s character—his truth, dharma, wisdom, and steadfast dignity.