Shloka 4
कुन्ती-युधिष्ठिर-संवादः — Kuntī’s Counsel on Departing for Pāñcāla
क्वचिद् वहन्तो जननीं त्वरमाणा महारथा: । क्वचिच्छन्देन गच्छन्तस्ते जग्मु: प्रसभं पुन:,उन सबने अपने सिरपर जटाएँ रख ली थीं। वल्कल और मृगचर्मसे अपने शरीरको ढक लिया था और तपस्वीका-सा वेष धारण कर रखा था। इस प्रकार वे महारथी महात्मा पाण्डव माता कुन्तीदेवीके साथ कहीं तो उन्हें पीठपर ढोते हुए तीव्र गतिसे चलते थे, कहीं इच्छानुसार धीरे-धीरे पाँव बढ़ाते थे और कहीं पुन: अपनी चाल तेज कर देते थे
kvacid vahanto jananīṃ tvaramāṇā mahārathāḥ | kvacic chandenā gacchantas te jagmuḥ prasabhaṃ punaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The great chariot-warriors, bearing their mother, at times hurried forward with speed; at times they proceeded at a measured pace as they wished; and at times again they pressed on forcefully. The scene underscores their disciplined endurance and filial duty as they move through hardship with resolve, adjusting their pace to protect and support their mother.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as filial responsibility and protective care: even mighty warriors regulate their strength and speed to support their mother, showing that power is to be governed by duty, restraint, and compassion.
The Pāṇḍavas, moving through difficult circumstances, are traveling with their mother Kuntī. They alternately hurry, slow down at will, and then surge forward again—sometimes even carrying her—indicating both urgency and careful attention to her safety and comfort.