Shloka 21
मैत्रेयागमनम् — The Arrival of Maitreya and the Admonition to Duryodhana
काममूर्तिधर: क्रूर: कालकल्पो व्यदृश्यत । तमुवाच ततो राजा दीर्घप्रज्ञो युधिष्ठिर:
kāmamūrtidharaḥ krūraḥ kālakalpo vyadṛśyata | tam uvāca tato rājā dīrghaprajño yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
அவன் கொடூரனாய், விரும்பிய வடிவம் ஏற்று, அழிவின் காலம்போல் தோன்றினான். அப்போது தொலைநோக்கு ஞானமுடைய அரசன் யுதிஷ்டிரன் அவனை நோக்கி உரைத்தான்.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when confronted by a terrifying, seemingly unstoppable force—likened to Kāla (Time/Death)—the dharmic response is not panic but clear-sighted speech and inquiry. Yudhiṣṭhira’s 'dīrghaprajñā' signals ethical steadiness: meeting threat with discernment, restraint, and purposeful dialogue.
A fearsome, shape-shifting figure appears, described as cruel and Time-like in power. In response, Yudhiṣṭhira, characterized as a wise king, begins to address the figure—setting up a dialogue where composure and judgment are tested under pressure.