Shloka 20
द्रौपद्याः भीमसेन-प्रबोधनम्
Draupadī Awakens Bhīmasena
(यस्य चार्द्रस्य वृक्षस्य शीतच्छायां समाश्रयेत् । न तस्य पर्ण द्रुह्मेत पूर्ववृत्तमनुस्मरन् ।।
yasya cārdrasya vṛkṣasya śītacchāyāṃ samāśrayet | na tasya parṇa-druhmet pūrvavṛttam anusmaran ||
قال فايشَمبايانا: «مَن آوى إلى ظلٍّ باردٍ لشجرةٍ خضراء يانعة، فلا ينبغي له أن يخونها—ولا حتى بإيذاء ورقةٍ واحدة. وليتذكّر إحسانها السابق فيحميها.» تُبرز هذه الحكمة خُلُق الامتنان وترك الغدر بالمُحسن أو الحامي، ولا سيما حين يكون المرء معتمدًا عليه.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
One must not betray a benefactor or protector after receiving shelter and benefit from them; even minimal harm is unethical. The verse frames gratitude as a dharmic obligation: remembering past help (pūrvavṛtta) should lead to active protection rather than exploitation.
In the Virāṭa-parvan context, the saying functions as a moral restraint: while living under another’s protection (like taking shade under a tree), one should not act treacherously toward that host. It supports the Pandavas’ need for restraint and careful conduct during their incognito stay.