Mahabharata · 5.77.21
॥
Devanāgarī
सर्वथा तु मया कार्यं धर्मराजस्य शासनम् ॥
विभाव्यं तस्य भूयश् च कर्म पापं दुरात्मनः ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sarvathā tu mayā kāryaṃ dharmarājasya śāsanam ||
vibhāvyaṃ tasya bhūyaś ca karma pāpaṃ durātmanaḥ ||
Word-by-word
SanskritIASTMeaning
सर्वथाsarvathāin any case; in every way; completely
तुtubut; however
मयाmayāby me; by myself
कार्यंkāryaṃduty; that which must be done
धर्मराजस्यdharmarājasyaof Dharmaraja; of the king of dharma
शासनम्śāsanamcommand; order
विभाव्यंvibhāvyaṃmust be discerned; must be shown
तस्यtasyahis; of that one
भूयश्bhūyaśagain; still more
चcaand; also
कर्मkarmadeed; action
पापंpāpaṃevil; wicked
दुरात्मनःdurātmanaḥof the evil-souled one; of the wicked-minded one
Translation
The burden of this war rests upon you, O Bhimasena. Arjuna too must bear this burden, while the two of you shall lead the other warriors. Should war come, I shall certainly be the charioteer of Vibhatsu, for this is indeed Dhananjaya's wish, and not because I myself am unwilling to fight. It was for this very reason that, hearing you declare your resolve, I revived your ardor, O Vrikodara."
Version
5f1303e66290 · published Jul 17, 2026, 4:51:54 AM UTC
Available inRUENPage between verses with
This passage (5.77.21) develops the central theme of the Udyoga-parva: the effort for peace is already underway against the backdrop of an inevitable war. Key themes: dharma. Dharma reveals itself here through speech, the choice of embassy, fidelity to promises, and the responsibility of kings for the consequences of their decisions.