Shloka 20
Vidura Leaves Hastināpura and Meets Uddhava
Vidura’s Tīrtha-yātrā Begins
इत्थं व्रजन् भारतमेव वर्षं कालेन यावद्गतवान् प्रभासम् । तावच्छशास क्षितिमेकचक्रा- मेकातपत्रामजितेन पार्थ: ॥ २० ॥
itthaṁ vrajan bhāratam eva varṣaṁ kālena yāvad gatavān prabhāsam tāvac chaśāsa kṣitim eka cakrām ekātapatrām ajitena pārthaḥ
Thus, while traveling throughout Bhāratavarṣa on pilgrimage, he in due course reached Prabhāsa-kṣetra. At that time Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, by invincible might, ruled the earth under one sovereignty and one flag.
More than five thousand years ago, while Saint Vidura was traveling the earth as a pilgrim, India was known as Bhāratavarṣa, as it is known even today. The history of the world cannot give any systematic account for more than three thousand years into the past, but before that the whole world was under the flag and military strength of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, who was the emperor of the world. At present there are hundreds and thousands of flags flapping in the United Nations, but during the time of Vidura there was, by the grace of Ajita, Lord Kṛṣṇa, only one flag. The nations of the world are very eager to again have one state under one flag, but for this they must seek the favor of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who alone can help us become one worldwide nation.
FAQs
This verse states that Arjuna governed the earth as one unified realm, and that his ability to do so rested on Ajita—Lord Krishna—whose invincible support empowered such dharmic kingship.
Prabhāsa is a key holy place connected with the later events surrounding the Yādavas and Lord Krishna’s concluding pastimes on earth; the verse notes Arjuna’s travels leading up to reaching Prabhāsa in due course.
It highlights reliance on the Lord’s strength: by taking shelter of Krishna (Ajita), one can carry responsibilities—leadership, duty, family obligations—with steadiness and integrity rather than mere personal pride.