Shloka 18
अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
भ्राता कनीयानपि तस्य मन्द- स्तथाशील: संजय सो<पि शश्चवत् | महेष्वास: शूरतम: कुरूणां दुःशासन: कुशलं तात वाच्य:,तात संजय! जो दुर्योधनका छोटा भाई है तथा उसीके समान मूर्ख और सदा पापमें संलग्न रहनेवाला है, कुरुकुलके उस महाधनुर्धर एवं विख्यात वीर दुःशासनसे भी कुशल पूछकर मेरा कुशल-समाचार कहना
bhrātā kanīyān api tasya mandaḥ tathāśīlaḥ saṃjaya so 'pi śaśvat | maheṣvāsaḥ śūratamaḥ kurūṇāṃ duḥśāsanaḥ kuśalaṃ tāta vācyaḥ ||
Meu caro Sañjaya! Transmite também minhas saudações e pergunta pelo bem-estar de Duḥśāsana — o irmão mais novo de Duryodhana, de igual disposição obtusa e iguais hábitos. Embora sempre inclinado ao erro, é famoso entre os Kurus como grande arqueiro e guerreiro de primeira linha. Indaga por sua saúde e entrega-lhe minha mensagem de que estou bem.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even while condemning wrongdoing, Yudhiṣṭhira maintains civility and a dharmic restraint: he acknowledges Duḥśāsana’s faults yet still extends formal welfare and respect, modeling ethical speech and self-control amid hostility.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Yudhiṣṭhira instructs Sañjaya to convey greetings and inquire after the welfare of Kaurava figures, including Duḥśāsana, describing him as Duryodhana’s younger brother—foolish and habitually sinful—yet renowned as a great archer and warrior among the Kurus.