Shloka 26
अपृच्छंश्वैव तं तत्र राजानमपराजितम् । प्रयोजनमिदं सर्वमाश्रमस्य निवेशने,उन सबने वहाँ उन अपराजित नरेशसे उस आश्रमपर पधारनेका सारा प्रयोजन पूछा
apṛcchaṃś caiva taṃ tatra rājānam aparājitam | prayojanam idaṃ sarvam āśramasya niveśane ||
Bhīṣma said: There, they questioned that unconquered king about the entire purpose behind establishing and settling that hermitage—seeking to understand the intention and dharmic aim of his coming and residence.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic principle: actions—especially those involving renunciation, residence in an āśrama, or public conduct by a ruler—should be examined by their prayojana (purpose). Ethical evaluation begins with clarifying intention and the larger aim.
In Bhīṣma’s narration, a group present at the hermitage questions an undefeated king, asking why he has come and what objective lies behind establishing or settling that āśrama.