Shloka 15
Rukmī’s Offer of Aid and Arjuna’s Refusal (रुक्मिप्रस्तावः—अर्जुनप्रत्याख्यानम्)
प्रयातु नो भवानग्रे देवानामिव पावकि: । वयं त्वामनुयास्थाम: सौरभेया इवर्षभम्
prayātu no bhavān agre devānām iva pāvakiḥ | vayaṃ tvām anuyāsthāmaḥ saurabheyā ivarṣabham ||
দেবতাদের অগ্রে যেমন পাবক (অগ্নি) অগ্রসর হন, তেমনই আপনি আমাদের আগে চলুন। আর যেমন সুরভি-গাভীর বাছুরেরা ষাঁড়ের পেছনে চলে, তেমনই আমরা আপনার অনুসরণ করব।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that rightful leadership should be like Agni among the gods—guiding, purifying, and going first—while followers uphold dharma through orderly, trusting cooperation, like calves naturally following the bull.
A group addresses an honored leader, requesting him to go ahead and lead the way; they pledge to follow closely, using two similes—Agni leading the gods and calves following the bull—to emphasize guidance and collective alignment.