Shloka 42
दमयन्त्याः व्याकुलता — स्वयंवरसंनिपातः — देवदूतयाचनम्
Damayantī’s Distress, Proclamation of the Svayaṃvara, and the Gods’ Request
ते धर्मराजेन वृता वर्षादूर्ध्व त्रयोदशात् । पुरस्कृत्योपयास्यन्ति वासुदेव॑ महारथा:,धर्मराजने तेरहवें वर्षके बाद युद्ध करनेके लिये उनका वरण किया है। वे महारथी वीर भगवान् श्रीकृष्णको आगे रखकर आक्रमण करेंगे
te dharmarājena vṛtā varṣād ūrdhvaṃ trayodaśāt | puraskṛtyopayāsyanti vāsudevaṃ mahārathāḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira sprach: „Von König Dharma (mir) erwählt, werden jene großen Wagenkämpfer nach Vollendung der dreizehn Jahre zur Schlacht vorrücken—mit Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) an ihrer Spitze.“
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes dharma as disciplined timing: action—especially war—should be undertaken only after one’s pledged obligations are completed. It also highlights the ethical ideal of seeking righteous guidance by placing Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva) in the lead, symbolizing counsel aligned with dharma.
Yudhiṣṭhira speaks of the period after the Pandavas’ thirteen-year vow (including exile and concealment). He indicates that, once that term is fulfilled, the chosen great warriors will move to engage in battle, advancing with Kṛṣṇa at the forefront.