Shloka 2
Vāsudeva’s Upadeśa: The Inner Enemy and the Indra–Vṛtra Precedent (आत्मशत्रु-बोधः; इन्द्र-वृत्रोपाख्यानम्)
त॑ नृपं दीनमनसं निहतज्ञातिबान्धवम् | उपप्लुतमिवादित्यं सधूममिव पावकम्
taṁ nṛpaṁ dīna-manasaṁ nihata-jñāti-bāndhavam | upaplutam ivādityaṁ sa-dhūmam iva pāvakam ||
毗舍波耶那说：尤提士提罗王心沉悲恸，亲族与眷属尽皆丧亡。他神采黯淡，如日为罗睺所蚀，又如火为烟所蔽。尤以其心，对王权生出倦怠与疏离。知其如此，弗利什尼族之荣光——圣克里希纳遂开口安慰昆蒂之子、法之子尤提士提罗。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and psychological cost of violence: even a righteous victor can be inwardly eclipsed by grief. It sets the stage for Kṛṣṇa’s reassurance—guidance meant to restore clarity, responsibility, and dharmic steadiness in rulership despite personal sorrow.
After the destruction of his kin, Yudhiṣṭhira becomes despondent and loses his luster, compared to an eclipsed sun and smoke-covered fire. Observing his aversion to kingship, Kṛṣṇa begins to address him with consoling counsel.