Shloka 15
Rukmī’s Offer of Aid and Arjuna’s Refusal (रुक्मिप्रस्तावः—अर्जुनप्रत्याख्यानम्)
प्रयातु नो भवानग्रे देवानामिव पावकि: । वयं त्वामनुयास्थाम: सौरभेया इवर्षभम्,'जैसे कार्तिकेय देवताओंके आगे-आगे चलते हैं, वैसे ही आप हमारे अगुआ हों। जैसे बछड़े साँड़के पीछे चलते हैं, उसी प्रकार हम आपका अनुसरण करेंगे”
prayātu no bhavān agre devānām iva pāvakiḥ | vayaṃ tvām anuyāsthāmaḥ saurabheyā ivarṣabham ||
May you go before us as the Fire-god goes at the head of the gods. We shall follow you, just as the calves of the Surabhi-cows follow the bull.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that rightful leadership should be like Agni among the gods—guiding, purifying, and going first—while followers uphold dharma through orderly, trusting cooperation, like calves naturally following the bull.
A group addresses an honored leader, requesting him to go ahead and lead the way; they pledge to follow closely, using two similes—Agni leading the gods and calves following the bull—to emphasize guidance and collective alignment.