Shloka 20
धृतराष्ट्रस्य युधिष्ठिरं प्रति व्यवहार-रक्षा-नियमनोपदेशः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Instruction on Administration, Punishment, and Daily Governance
कुतस्त्वमसि विस्मृत्य वैरं द्वादशवार्षिकम्
kutastvam asi vismṛtya vairaṃ dvādaśavārṣikam
Paano nangyari na ikaw—na nakalimot sa alitang tumagal ng labindalawang taon—ay ngayo’y nagsasalita at kumikilos na para bang wala iyon? Pinipisil ng tanong ang tensiyong moral sa pagitan ng pag-alaala sa mga dating kasamaan at ng pagpili ng pagpipigil, at hinahamon kung ang pakikipagkasundo ba’y tunay na karunungan o simpleng pagluwag ng pagbabantay.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical dilemma of how far one should let past hostility govern present conduct. It probes whether forgetting long-standing enmity is a mark of dharmic forgiveness and strategic peace, or an imprudent neglect of hard-earned lessons.
Vaiśampāyana reports a pointed challenge directed at someone whose current stance seems inconsistent with a prolonged feud. The speaker expresses astonishment that a twelve-year hostility could be ‘forgotten,’ implying a sudden shift toward trust, reconciliation, or complacency.