Shloka 17
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
यस्मिन् दानं दम: शौचमहिंसा ह्वीर्धति: क्षमा । अनपायानि सर्वाणि नित्यं राज्ञि युधिष्ठिरे,“जिन महाराज युधिष्ठिरमें दान, दम, शौच, अहिंसा, लज्जा, धृति और क्षमा आदि सारे सदगुण अविनश्वरभावसे सदा विद्यमान रहते हैं, अपनी ध्वजामें मृदंगका चिह्न धारण करनेवाले उन्हीं धर्मराजके तेजसे तुम पहले ही मर चुके हो। अत: कर्ण और शकुनिके साथ ही इस युद्धस्थलमें तुम विनाशको प्राप्त होओगे
yasmin dānaṁ damaḥ śaucam ahiṁsā hrīr dhṛtiḥ kṣamā | anapāyāni sarvāṇi nityaṁ rājñi yudhiṣṭhire ||
यस्मिन् दानं दमः शौचमहिंसा ह्रीर्धृतिः क्षमा । अनपायानि सर्वाणि नित्यं राज्ञि युधिष्ठिरे ॥
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents the classical royal-ethical ideal: a righteous king embodies enduring virtues (generosity, restraint, purity, non-violence, modesty, fortitude, forgiveness). Such dharmic excellence is portrayed as a real power—moral splendor (tejas) that determines outcomes and brings ruin to those aligned with adharma.
Sañjaya, narrating the war to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, highlights Yudhiṣṭhira’s unwavering virtues and declares that the opposing side is already doomed by the Dharmarāja’s moral radiance; he foretells destruction for those fighting alongside Karṇa and Śakuni on the battlefield.