Shloka 7
गान्धारीपुत्रोत्पत्तिः — The Birth of Gāndhārī’s Hundred Sons (and Yuyutsu); Omens and Counsel on Succession
आजगाम ततोड<पश्यंस्तमृषिं तस्करानुगा: । तमपृच्छंस्ततो राजंस्तथावृत्तं तपोधनम्
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: ājagāma tato ’paśyaṃs tam ṛṣiṃ taskarānugāḥ | tam apṛcchaṃs tato rājan tathāvṛttaṃ tapodhanam, Janamejaya |
Vaiśampāyana said: Then those who were pursuing the thieves came and saw that sage. Thereupon, O king, they questioned that ascetic rich in austerity about what had occurred, O Janamejaya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up a classic dharma-conflict: society seeks justice by pursuing thieves, while a sage—committed to truth and non-harm—may be placed in a situation where speaking or withholding information has ethical consequences. It highlights how dharma can become subtle when duties collide.
Pursuers tracking thieves arrive at a hermitage and see a sage there. They question him about the thieves’ movements—specifically, which route the thieves took—so they can continue the chase quickly.