Shloka 11
Kuntī–Brāhmaṇa Saṃvāda on Atithi-dharma and Crisis Strategy (Ādi Parva 149)
अथ तान् व्यथितान् दृष्टवा सह मात्रा नरोत्तमान् | नावमारोप्य गड्जायां प्रस्थितानब्रवीत् पुनः:,इसके बाद मातासहित नरश्रेष्ठ पाण्डवोंको अत्यन्त दुःखी देख नाविकने उन सबको नावपर चढ़ाया और जब वे गंगाके मार्गसे प्रस्थान करने लगे, तब फिर इस प्रकार कहा --
atha tān vyathitān dṛṣṭvā saha mātrā narottamān | nāvam āropya gaṅgāyāṃ prasthitān abravīt punaḥ ||
Seeing those best of men—the Pāṇḍavas—distressed, along with their mother, the boatman helped them board his boat. And as they set out upon the course of the Gaṅgā, he addressed them once again, with concern and a sense of duty toward the afflicted.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic compassion: when the vulnerable and distressed are encountered, one should actively assist them. The boatman’s practical help—providing passage and speaking further guidance—models responsible care for those in danger.
The narrator describes the boatman seeing the Pāṇḍavas and their mother in distress, helping them board a boat, and as they depart along the Gaṅgā, he speaks to them again—setting up the next counsel or instruction.