Shloka 326
Udyoga Parva Adhyāya 132 — Vidura’s Counsel on Udyama, Yaśas, and Kṣātra-Dharma
क्षमावान् निरमर्षश्न नैव स्त्री न पुन: पुमान् । जिस क्षत्रियके हृदयमें अमर्ष है और जो शत्रुओंके प्रति क्षमाभाव धारण नहीं करता
kṣamāvān niramārṣaś ca naiva strī na punaḥ pumān |
Sabi ni Vāyu: “Ang tunay na matiisin at walang mapaghiganting poot, sa diwa ng mandirigma, ay hindi maituturing na ‘babae’ ni ‘lalaki’. Sapagkat ang nagtatakda sa isang Kṣatriya bilang ‘lalaki’ ay ang apoy sa dibdib—ang makatarungang pagngitngit at ang pagtangging pagbigyan ang kaaway sa maling pagpapahinuhod. Ngunit ang taong pawang pagpapatawad at salat sa gayong matatag na loob ay hindi karapat-dapat tawaging Kṣatriya, at sa gayong wika, ni ‘lalaki’ man ay hindi ganap na maituturing.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts two dispositions—kṣamā (forbearance) and amarṣa (spirited indignation). In a Kṣatriya-centered moral idiom, mere forgiveness without martial resolve is criticized; the teaching asserts that a warrior’s identity is tied to protective firmness and intolerance of affronts or injustice, not to passive forbearance.
Vāyudeva is speaking within the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war counsel and moral debate, where different voices articulate what conduct is appropriate as conflict approaches. Here he frames an idealized (and polemical) definition of Kṣatriya character, emphasizing mettle and readiness to oppose enemies.