<![CDATA[This study is motivated by the limited cross-cultural scholarship linking Western Stoic philosophy with the figure of Yudhishthira in Eastern literature, particularly the Mahabharata. Existing research tends to treat these traditions separately, although Yudhishthira widely regarded as an embodiment of dharma (truth and justice) offers a fertile site for examining the applicability of Stoic virtues in a different cultural and normative horizon. The study aims to identify how central Stoic principles, notably the Dichotomy of Control and Areté (virtue), are reflected in Yudhishthira’s character, and locate points of convergence between Stoic values and traits ascribed to Yudhishthira to assess their relevance as cultural practices. Employing a descriptive qualitative method grounded in comparative textual analysis, the research analyzes passages from the Mahabharata against Stoic ethical concepts. Findings show that Yudhishthira exemplifies three core Stoic virtues justice, courage, and wisdom manifested respectively in his commitment to truth and fairness, his moral steadfastness in warfare and trials, and his prudent deliberation in critical decisions. The study also identifies a notable shortcoming in temperance: during the dice-game episode Yudhishthira wagers the realm, displaying a failure of self-control that undermines Stoic ideals of rational governance of desire. This tension reveals a substantive conflict between Stoic emphases on self-mastery and rationality and the contextual obligations of dharma that govern Yudhishthira’s role as king and moral exemplar. The research contributes to comparative ethics by integrating Eastern and Western perspectives and offers practical grounds for cross-cultural character education. The study connects Stoicism and Dharma to deepen understanding of universal virtues and to propose a framework for integrating them into contemporary curricula.]]>
