Shloka 14

Kubera’s Fivefold Nīti and Protection of the Pāṇḍavas (वैश्रवणोपदेशः)

Devanagari script

प्रतस्थे सह विप्रैस्तै््नातृभिश्व॒ परन्तप: । राक्षसैरनुयातो वै लोमशेनाभिरक्षित:,“धर्मज्ञ! तुम क्षत्रियरधर्मके अनुसार इस संकटसे पार होकर सारी पृथ्वीका पालन करोगे।” राजा युधिष्ठिरने उन तपस्वी ब्राह्मणोंका यह आशीर्वाद शिरोधार्य किया और वे परंतप नरेश उन ब्राह्मणों तथा भाइयोंके साथ वहाँसे प्रस्थित हुए। घटोत्कच आदि राक्षस भी उनकी सेवाके लिये पीछे-पीछे चले। राजा युधिष्ठिर महर्षि लोमशके द्वारा सर्वथा सुरक्षित थे

Transliteration

vaiśampāyana uvāca |

pratasthe saha viprais tair bhrātṛbhiś ca parantapaḥ |

rākṣasair anuyāto vai lomaśenābhirakṣitaḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Then the scorcher of foes set out from there together with those brāhmaṇa ascetics and with his brothers. The rākṣasas followed behind to render service, while the king remained completely protected under the guardianship of the sage Lomaśa. The scene underscores righteous kingship sustained by the blessings of the learned and safeguarded by disciplined companionship in adversity.

Word by Word

प्रतस्थेset out / departed

सहtogether with

विप्रैःwith the brahmins

तैःwith those

भ्रातृभिःwith (his) brothers

चand

परन्तपःthe scorcher of foes (epithet)

राक्षसैःby/with the rakshasas

अनुयातःfollowed

वैindeed

लोमशेनby Lomasha

अभिरक्षितःprotected / guarded

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Yudhiṣṭhira (Parantapa)

the brāhmaṇa ascetics (vipras)

the brothers (Pāṇḍavas)

rākṣasas (including Ghaṭotkaca and others, implied by context)

Lomaśa

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A dhārmic ruler endures संकट (adversity) by honoring the blessings and guidance of the learned (vipras) and by accepting rightful protection and service without arrogance; ethical strength is shown through humility, companionship, and reliance on righteous guardianship.

What is happening in the narrative?

After receiving the ascetics’ blessing, Yudhiṣṭhira departs with the brāhmaṇas and his brothers. Allied rākṣasas follow behind to assist, and the sage Lomaśa ensures the king’s safety as they continue their forest journey.