Shloka 34
Vidurā–Putra Saṃvāda: Utsāha, Kīrti, and Kṣātra Resolve
Udyoga-parva 131
युद्धयस्व राजधर्मेण मा निमज्जी: पितामहान् । मा गम: क्षीणपुण्यस्त्वं सानुज: पापिकां गतिम्
yudhyasva rājadharmeṇa mā nimajjīḥ pitāmahān | mā gamaḥ kṣīṇapuṇyas tvaṃ sānujaḥ pāpikāṃ gatim ||
வாயு கூறினார்—ராஜதர்மத்தின்படி போரிடு. கோழைத்தனத்தால் முன்னோர்களின் புகழை மூழ்கடிக்காதே; சகோதரர்களுடன் புண்ணியம் குன்றி பாவமயமான முடிவை அடையாதே.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should uphold rājadharma—especially a kṣatriya’s obligation to protect justice and honor—by acting with courage and responsibility. Cowardice is portrayed not merely as personal weakness but as a moral failure that stains ancestral reputation and leads to loss of merit and a sinful destiny.
Vāyudeva addresses a warrior-king figure, urging him to enter battle according to the rightful code of kingship. The speech frames the coming conflict as a dharmic obligation and warns that retreat would disgrace the lineage and bring spiritual and ethical downfall for him and his brothers.