Shloka 108
समन्तपञ्चक-आख्यानम् तथा अक्षौहिणी-प्रमाणनिर्णयः
Samantapañcaka Narrative and the Measure of an Akṣauhiṇī
अज्ञातचर्यया वासो यत्र तेषां प्रकीर्तित: । बकस्य निधन चैव नागराणां च विस्मय:,अमिततेजस्वी महर्षि व्यासका पाण्डवोंसे मिलना और उनकी आज्ञासे एकचक्रा नगरीमें ब्राह्मणके घर पाण्डवोंके गुप्त निवासका वर्णन है। वहीं रहते समय उन्होंने बकासुरका वध किया, जिससे नागरिकोंको बड़ा भारी आश्चर्य हुआ
ajñātacaryayā vāso yatra teṣāṃ prakīrtitaḥ | bakasya nidhanaṃ caiva nāgarāṇāṃ ca vismayaḥ ||
Here is recounted the place where they lived in concealment, practicing an unknown (incognito) mode of life; and also the slaying of Baka, which became a cause of great astonishment among the townspeople. In narrative context, the passage points to the Pandavas’ dharmic restraint in hiding when required, and their protective courage in removing a violent threat to society, thereby restoring safety for ordinary citizens.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma includes both restraint and protection: when circumstances demand, the righteous may live quietly and anonymously without abandoning their duties; yet when society is threatened by cruelty, decisive action to protect the vulnerable becomes a moral obligation.
The text signals a section describing the Pandavas’ concealed stay (traditionally at Ekacakrā in a brāhmaṇa’s house) and the episode of Baka/Bakāsura’s slaying, an event that shocked and amazed the local citizens because it ended a long-standing terror.