Shloka 3
क्षेम्यश्नैकाकिना गम्य: पन्था: को<स्तीति पृच्छ माम् | अथवा नेच्छसि प्रष्टमपृच्छन्नपि मे शूणु,एकाकी पुरुषके चलनेयोग्य कल्याणकारी मार्ग कौन-सा है? यह मुझसे पूछो अथवा यदि पूछना नहीं चाहते हो तो बिना पूछे भी मुझसे सुनो
kṣemyas tv ekākinā gamyaḥ panthāḥ ko 'stīti pṛccha mām | athavā necchasi praṣṭum apṛcchann api me śṛṇu ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Ask me—what path is there that is safe, auspicious, and fit to be walked by one who stands alone? Or, if you do not wish to ask, then listen to me even without asking.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames dharma as a ‘path’ that must be both auspicious (kṣemya) and practicable even for someone who is alone—suggesting that true ethical conduct should not depend on external support, popularity, or companionship, but be sustainable by inner resolve.
In the Shanti Parva’s reflective setting after the war, Yudhiṣṭhira speaks in a counsel-giving mode, inviting the listener to inquire about a welfare-bringing course of conduct; even if the listener hesitates to ask, he offers to explain proactively.