Shloka 20
अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
गुणैरनेकै: प्रवरैश्न युक्तो विज्ञानवान् नैव च निष्ठरो यः । स्नेहादमर्ष सहते सदैव स सोमदत्त: पूजनीयो मतो मे
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
guṇair anekaiḥ pravaraiś ca yukto vijñānavān naiva ca niṣṭhuro yaḥ |
snehād amarṣaṃ sahate sadaiva sa somadattaḥ pūjanīyo mato me ||
یُدھِشٹھِر نے کہا—جو بے شمار اعلیٰ اوصاف سے آراستہ، صاحبِ فہم و بصیرت، اور ذرّہ بھر بھی سخت مزاج نہیں؛ اور جو محبت کے باعث ہمیشہ ہمارے غضب کو سہہ لیتا ہے—وہ سومدت بھی میرے نزدیک لائقِ تعظیم ہے۔
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Yudhiṣṭhira upholds an ethical ideal: true worthiness of honor lies in excellent character—wisdom, gentleness (absence of harshness), and patient forbearance of others’ anger, especially when motivated by affection and a desire to preserve relationships.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Yudhiṣṭhira speaks of those who deserve respect even amid rising conflict. He singles out Somadatta as a virtuous, wise, and non-harsh person who repeatedly endures the Pandavas’ anger out of goodwill, and therefore should be honored.