Shloka 18
एकचक्रानिवासप्रस्तावः | Ekacakrā Sojourn—Vyāsa’s Consolation and Directive
स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय कौरवाय पुरोचन: । प्रायाद् रासभयुक्तेन स्थन्दनेनाशुगामिना,पुरोचनने दुर्योधनके सामने वैसा ही करनेकी प्रतिज्ञा की एवं खच्चर जुते हुए शीघ्रगामी रथपर आरूढ़ हो वहाँसे वारणावत नगरके लिये प्रस्थान किया
sa tatheti pratijñāya kauravāya purocanaḥ | prāyād rāsabhayuktena syandanenāśugāminā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Purocana, having pledged to the Kaurava (Duryodhana), “So be it,” set out at once—mounted on a swift chariot yoked with mules—departing for the city of Vāraṇāvata.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of making and keeping promises in the service of adharma: loyalty or obedience becomes morally compromised when it advances harmful, deceitful aims.
Purocana agrees to the Kaurava’s instruction and immediately departs in a fast mule-yoked chariot toward Vāraṇāvata, setting in motion the next stage of the Kauravas’ scheme against the Pāṇḍavas.