Shloka 18
Vainya-Aśvamedhe Atri–Gautama–Sanatkumāra-Nirṇaya
Vainya’s Sacrifice and the Settlement of a Dharmic Dispute
तमिस्राभ्युदये तस्मिन् धौम्येन सह पाण्डवा: । सूतै: पौरोगवैश्वैव काम्यकं प्रययुर्वनम्,फिर कृष्ण-पक्षका उदय होनेपर पाण्डवलोग धौम्य मुनि, सारथिगण तथा पाकशालाध्यक्षके साथ काम्यक-वनकी ओर चल दिये
tamisrābhyudaye tasmin dhaumyena saha pāṇḍavāḥ | sūtaiḥ pauragavaiś caiva kāmyakaṃ prayayur vanam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When the dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa) began, the Pāṇḍavas—together with the sage Dhaumya, and accompanied by their charioteers and attendants—set out for the Kāmyaka forest.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in hardship and uncertain times, the righteous maintain discipline and proceed under wise guidance; the presence of Dhaumya highlights the role of dharmic counsel in sustaining moral order during exile.
At the onset of the dark fortnight, the Pāṇḍavas depart with their priest Dhaumya and their attendants/charioteers, traveling onward to the Kāmyaka forest as part of their life in exile.