Shloka 6
Bhīmasya paruṣa-vākyaṃ
Bhīma’s Harsh Speech Heard by Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Gāndhārī
तुम उन्हें अवसर दो, जिससे ये नरेश प्राचीन राजर्षियोंके पथका अनुसरण कर सकें। समस्त राजर्षियोंने जीवनके अन्तिम भागमें वनका ही आश्रय लिया है ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca: ity uktaḥ sa tadā rājā vyāsenādbhuta-karmaṇā | pratyuvāca mahā-tejā dharma-rājo mahā-munim ||
Grant him the occasion, so that this king may follow the path of the royal seers of old. All royal sages, in the final portion of life, took refuge in the forest. Vaiśampāyana said: When the wondrously accomplished Vyāsa had spoken thus, the king—Dharma-rāja Yudhiṣṭhira, radiant with great spiritual power—then replied to that great sage as follows.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic ideal: after fulfilling worldly duties, even kings may transition toward renunciation, following the precedent of ancient rājarṣis who embraced forest life in the final stage. It emphasizes timely permission and social support for ethical withdrawal from power.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that after Vyāsa—described as wondrous in deeds—speaks, Yudhiṣṭhira (Dharma-rāja) responds to the great sage. The verse functions as a narrative hinge introducing Yudhiṣṭhira’s reply within the Āśramavāsika episode.