Shloka 13
Jarāsandha–Vāsudeva Saṃvāda: Kṣātra-Dharma, Pride, and the Ethics of Coercion
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 20
त्रिभिर्भवद्धि्हिं विना नाहं जीवितुमुत्सहे । धर्मकामार्थरहितो रोगार्त इव दु:खित:
tribhir bhavadbhiḥ vinā nāhaṃ jīvitum utsahe | dharma-kāma-artha-rahito rogārta iva duḥkhitaḥ ||
యుధిష్ఠిరుడు అన్నాడు—మీ ముగ్గురు లేకుండా నేను జీవించడానికి ధైర్యం చేయలేను. ధర్మం, కామం, అర్థం లేనివాడిగా నేను రోగపీడితుడిలా దుఃఖిస్తున్నాను.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that a meaningful life is sustained by the three puruṣārthas—dharma (ethical order), artha (rightful means), and kāma (legitimate fulfillment). When these are lost, life feels like a painful illness; it also highlights how moral purpose and supportive relationships uphold resilience.
Yudhiṣṭhira speaks in distress, addressing three close companions (contextually, his three brothers), declaring that without them he cannot bear to live and feels stripped of life’s aims, suffering like a sick man.