Shloka 8
Nahūṣa-Ājagara Saṃvāda: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Definition of Brāhmaṇa and the ‘Vedyam’ Debate
एकादशं वर्षमिदं वसाम: सुयोधनेनात्तसुखा: सुखार्हा[: त॑ वज्चयित्वाधमबुद्धिशील- मज्ञातवासं सुखमाप्नुयाम,“अब हमारे निवासका यह ग्यारहवाँ वर्ष चल रहा है। हमलोग सुख भोगनेके अधिकारी थे, परन्तु दुर्योधनने हमारा सुख छीन लिया। उसकी बुद्धि तथा स्वभाव अत्यन्त अधम है। उस दुष्टको धोखा देकर हम अपने अज्ञातवासका समय भी सुखपूर्वक बिता लेंगे
ekādaśaṁ varṣam idaṁ vasāmaḥ suyodhanenātta-sukhāḥ sukhārhāḥ | taṁ vañcayitvādhama-buddhi-śīlam ajñāta-vāsaṁ sukham āpnu-yāma ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: “Este é agora o décimo primeiro ano em que vivemos afastados. Embora fôssemos dignos de desfrutar da prosperidade, Suyodhana (Duryodhana) tomou-nos a felicidade. Seu entendimento e seu temperamento são inteiramente vis. Superando esse perverso com astúcia, atravessaremos até o período de vida incógnita em paz.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between rightful endurance of injustice and the use of strategic deception: those wronged must remain steadfast through hardship, yet may employ prudent means to protect themselves and complete their vowed term without giving the oppressor an advantage.
The speaker notes that the exiles have reached the eleventh year; although they deserved happiness, Duryodhana has taken it from them. They resolve to outwit him and complete the forthcoming period of living incognito (ajñātavāsa) peacefully.