Yudhiṣṭhira’s Procession, Encampment (Niveśa), and Auspicious Timing for Ritual Action
तथा यथा55ह धर्मेण कथं वा भीम मन्यसे । “यदि तुमलोग उस धनको पर्याप्त समझो और उसे ले आनेकी अपनेमें सामर्थ्य देखो तो व्यासजीने जैसा कहा है
tathā yathā dharmeṇa kathaṃ vā bhīma manyase |
Vaiśampāyana said: “Proceed in the very manner that accords with dharma. If you consider that wealth sufficient and see in yourselves the ability to bring it, then strive to obtain it righteously, exactly as Vyāsa has instructed. Otherwise, Bhīmasena—speak: what is your judgment in this matter?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Even when pursuing wealth or a practical objective, one must act strictly through dharma—right means matter as much as the end. The passage also models ethical consultation: follow wise instruction (Vyāsa) and invite the strongest stakeholder (Bhīma) to state his considered judgment.
The narrator Vaiśampāyana frames a decision-point: if the group deems the proposed wealth adequate and believes they can obtain it, they should attempt to secure it in a righteous way as Vyāsa advised; otherwise, Bhīmasena is asked to give his opinion on the course of action.