Shloka 16
द्रौपदीश्रमः तथा घटोत्कचस्मरणम्
Draupadī’s Exhaustion and the Summoning of Ghaṭotkaca
नकुलो ब्राह्मणाश्चान्ये लोमशश्न महातपा: । वृक्षानासाद्य संत्रस्तास्तत्र तत्र निलिल्यिरे,नकुल, अन्यान्य ब्राह्मणलोग तथा महातपस्वी लोमशजी भी भयभीत होकर जहाँ-तहाँ वृक्षोंकी आड़ लेकर छिपे रहे
nakulo brāhmaṇāś cānye lomaśaś ca mahātapāḥ | vṛkṣān āsādya saṁtrastās tatra tatra nililyire ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Nakula, along with other brāhmaṇas and the great ascetic Lomaśa, frightened by the danger, reached the shelter of trees and hid themselves here and there. The scene shows that even the virtuous, when faced with sudden peril, may choose concealment—not from cowardice, but from prudence, to protect life and preserve dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights practical wisdom within dharma: when danger arises, safeguarding life through cautious retreat or concealment can be ethically appropriate, even for the learned and ascetic, because preserving oneself and one’s duties may take precedence over rash display of bravery.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Nakula, other brāhmaṇas, and the sage Lomaśa, struck by fear due to an immediate threat, move to the cover of trees and hide in scattered spots throughout the area.