Shloka 18
अरण्यवृत्ति-वैराग्योपदेशः | Forest Discipline and the Program of Non-Attachment
अपृच्छन् कस्यचिन्मार्ग प्रव्रजन्नेव केनचित् । न देशं न दिशं काज्चिद् गन्तुमिच्छन् विशेषतः
apṛcchan kasyacin mārgaṁ pravrajann eva kenacit | na deśaṁ na diśaṁ kāñcid gantum icchan viśeṣataḥ ||
قال يودهيشثيرا: «حين أنطلق جوّالًا، سأمضي في أي طريق يعرض لي دون أن أسأل أحدًا عن الدلالة. ولن أتعلّق بغايةٍ مخصوصة ولا بجهةٍ بعينها مقصدًا لي».
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes vairāgya (detachment): a disciplined resolve to wander without clinging to a chosen destination, and without dependence on others for guidance—symbolizing inner steadiness and freedom from preference.
Yudhiṣṭhira states his intention to depart as a wanderer/renunciant, describing a vow-like mode of travel: he will proceed on whatever path presents itself, avoid asking directions, and refrain from aiming at any particular place or direction.