Shloka 2
Adhyāya 33 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Post-Conflict Remorse and Inquiry on Āśrama Discipline (शोक-विमर्शः, आश्रम-जिज्ञासा)
क्षत्रियाश्व॒ महात्मान: सम्बन्धिसुहृदस्तथा । वयस्या भागिनेयाश्ष ज्ञातयक्षु पितामह,युधिष्ठिर बोले--पितामह! अकेले मैंने ही राज्यके लोभमें आकर पुत्र, पौत्र, भाई, चाचा, ताऊ, श्वशुर, गुरु, मामा, बाबा, भानजे, सगे-सम्बन्धी, सुहृद, मित्र तथा भाई-बन्धु आदि नाना देशोंसे आये हुए बहुसंख्यक क्षत्रियनरेशोंको मरवा डाला
kṣatriyāś ca mahātmānaḥ sambandhi-suhṛdas tathā | vayasyā bhāgineyāś ca jñātayaś ca pitāmaha ||
Юдхиштхира сказал: «О Дед! Великие духом кшатрии — мои родичи и доброжелатели, товарищи, сыновья моих сестёр и весь мой род — приведены к погибели. Ослеплённый жаждой царской власти, я стал причиной истребления бесчисленных царей-воителей, пришедших из многих земель».
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical weight of political ambition: even a ‘just’ victory can carry grave moral residue when it entails the destruction of kin and allies. It sets up the Shānti Parva’s inquiry into dharma, atonement, and the responsibilities of kingship after catastrophic violence.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Bhīṣma as ‘Grandfather’ and laments that, due to his desire for the kingdom, many noble kṣatriyas—relatives, friends, and nephews—have perished. This confession frames his inner turmoil and his seeking of guidance from Bhīṣma on righteous conduct and peace.