Shloka 50
Kuntī’s Prayers and the Neutralization of the Brahmāstra
Uttarā Protected; Yudhiṣṭhira’s Grief Begins
नैनो राज्ञ: प्रजाभर्तुर्धर्मयुद्धे वधो द्विषाम् । इति मे न तु बोधाय कल्पते शासनं वच: ॥ ५० ॥
naino rājñaḥ prajā-bhartur dharma-yuddhe vadho dviṣām iti me na tu bodhāya kalpate śāsanaṁ vacaḥ
虽说国王为了保护子民而在正义之战中杀敌无罪，但这教诲并不能安抚我的良心。
Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira thought that although he was not actually involved in the administration of the kingdom, which was being carried on well by Duryodhana without harm to the citizens, he caused the killing of so many living beings only for his personal gain of the kingdom from the hands of Duryodhana. The killing was committed not in the course of administration but for the sake of self-aggrandizement, and as such he thought himself responsible for all the sins.
FAQs
This verse states that for a king protecting citizens, killing enemies in a dharma-yuddha is not considered sinful—yet inner realization may still demand deeper spiritual reconciliation.
Though instructed that a kṣatriya’s duty in dharma-yuddha incurs no sin, Yudhiṣṭhira’s tender conscience and grief over the immense loss made mere legal reasoning insufficient for his inner peace.
Even if an action is justified by role or rules, one should honestly examine the heart, seek higher wisdom, and align one’s duty with humility, prayer, and devotion to the Lord for inner clarity.