Shloka 56
Kṛṣṇa’s Departure, Auspicious Omens, and the Opening of the Uttaṅka Dialogue (कृष्णप्रयाण-निमित्त-उत्तङ्कसंवाद-प्रारम्भः)
तमन्वयाद् वानरवर्यकेतन: ससात्यकिर्माद्रवतीसुतावपि । अगाथबुद्धिर्विदुरश्च माधवं स्वयं च भीमो गजराजविक्रम:
tam anvayād vānaravaryaketanāḥ sa sātyakir mādravatīsutāv api | agāthabuddhir viduraś ca mādhavaṁ svayaṁ ca bhīmo gajarājavikramaḥ ||
As Mādhava (Kṛṣṇa) departed, Arjuna—whose banner bears the foremost of monkeys—followed after him, together with Sātyaki, Mādrī’s twin sons (Nakula and Sahadeva), Vidura of unfathomable counsel, and Bhīma himself, mighty as the lord of elephants; they went some distance to escort him.
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct through respectful accompaniment of an honored person. Escorting Mādhava signifies gratitude, humility, and recognition of moral and spiritual authority—virtues expected of righteous rulers and companions.
As Kṛṣṇa (Mādhava) departs, the leading figures of the Pāṇḍava side—Arjuna, Sātyaki, Nakula, Sahadeva, Vidura, and Bhīma—follow him for some distance to see him off, demonstrating esteem and affectionate regard.