Shloka 13
कुन्त्याः वनगमननिश्चयः — Kuntī’s Resolve to Depart for the Forest
द्रौपदी आदि स्त्रियाँ भी शिबिकाओंमें बैठकर दीन-दुखियोंको असंख्य धन बाँटती हुई जा रही थीं। रनिवासके अध्यक्ष सब ओरसे उनकी रक्षा कर रहे थे ।।
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca | draupadī-ādyāḥ striyaḥ śibikāsu niṣaṇṇā dīna-duḥkhitān asakhyaṃ dhanaṃ vitarantyaḥ prayayuḥ | ranivāsa-adhyakṣāḥ sarvataḥ tāsāṃ rakṣāṃ kurvanti sma || samṛddha-ratha-hasty-aśvaṃ vegu-vīṇā-anunāditam | śuśubhe pāṇḍavaṃ sainyaṃ tat tadā bharatarṣabha ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Draupadī and the other royal women, seated in palanquins, proceeded onward while distributing immeasurable wealth to the poor and afflicted. The officers in charge of the women’s quarters guarded them on all sides. At that time, O bull among the Bharatas, the Pāṇḍava army—rich in chariots, elephants, and horses—appeared splendid, resonant with the sounds of flutes and vīṇās. The scene joins royal dignity with public charity: even amid a martial procession, care for the vulnerable is made visible as a dharmic duty.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic kingship and household ethics: even in a grand, martial movement, the royal household visibly practices dāna (charity) toward the dīna-duḥkhita (poor and suffering), while ensuring proper protection and order. Splendor is presented as legitimate when paired with responsibility and compassion.
Draupadī and the other royal women travel in palanquins, distributing abundant wealth to the needy. Officials guard them from all sides. Simultaneously, the Pāṇḍava army is described as large and well-equipped with chariots, elephants, and horses, and made impressive by the resonant music of flutes and vīṇās.