Shloka 39
उलूकदूतवाक्यम् / Ulūka’s Message to the Pāṇḍavas
गते रामे तीर्थयात्रां भीष्मकस्य सुते तथा । उपाविशन् पाण्डवेया मन्त्राय पुनरेव च,बलरामजीके तीर्थयात्रामें और भीष्मकपुत्र रुक्मीके अपने नगरको चले जानेपर पाण्डवोंने पुनः गुप्त मन्त्रणाके लिये बैठक की
gate rāme tīrthayātrāṃ bhīṣmakasya sute tathā | upāviśan pāṇḍaveyā mantrāya punar eva ca ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “When Rāma (Balarāma) had departed on his pilgrimage, and likewise Bhīṣmaka’s son (Rukmī) had gone back to his own city, the sons of Pāṇḍu sat down once again for a confidential council.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent governance: when external parties depart and distractions subside, leaders should deliberate privately and carefully. Ethical action in crisis is supported by thoughtful counsel (mantra), not impulsive reaction.
Balarāma leaves on a pilgrimage, and Rukmī (Bhīṣmaka’s son) returns to his city. With these figures gone, the Pāṇḍavas convene again for a confidential strategy discussion as events move toward confrontation.