Shloka 231
Vāraṇāvata-prasaṃsā and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure (वरणावत-प्रशंसा तथा पाण्डव-प्रयाणम्)
ते तं दृष्टवा महात्मानमुपगम्य कुमारका: । भग्नोत्साहक्रियात्मानो ब्राह्मुणं पर्यवारयन्
te taṃ dṛṣṭvā mahātmānam upagamya kumārakāḥ | bhagnotsāhakriyātmāno brāhmaṇaṃ paryavārayan ||
Als sie jenen großgesinnten Mann erblickten, traten die Knaben zu ihm; Mut und Tatkraft waren ihnen gebrochen, und sie scharten sich um den Brāhmaṇa, dicht in einem Ring stehend—auf der Suche nach Schutz und Führung in ihrer Not.
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When courage fails, it is natural—and dharmically appropriate—to seek the shelter of a wise and virtuous person. The verse highlights the social-ethical role of the brāhmaṇa/learned elder as a refuge and guide for the vulnerable.
A group of boys, shaken and unable to act with confidence, see a noble brāhmaṇa. They approach him and surround him closely, indicating dependence, urgency, and a plea for protection or counsel.