Shloka 21
Ghaṭotkaca’s Conveyance to Badarī and Entry into the Nara-Nārāyaṇa Āśrama (घटोत्कच-वाहनम्; नरनारायणाश्रम-प्रवेशः)
पर्याश्चासयदप्येनां धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिर: । उवाच च कुरुश्रेष्ठो भीमसेनमिदं वच:
paryāścāsayad apy enāṃ dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | uvāca ca kuruśreṣṭho bhīmasenam idaṃ vacaḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: King Yudhiṣṭhira, steadfast in dharma, had her seated nearby as well; and that best of the Kurus then spoke these words to Bhīmasena—setting the stage for counsel shaped by duty and right conduct amid their forest hardships.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights Yudhiṣṭhira’s dharmic leadership: he acts with propriety and consideration (seating ‘her’ nearby) before delivering counsel, implying that righteous speech is grounded in respectful conduct.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates a transition: Yudhiṣṭhira arranges the seating of a woman present (‘her’) and then begins to address Bhīma, introducing the forthcoming instruction or discussion.