Shloka 4
ब्राह्मणानुयात्रा—शौनकोपदेशः
Brāhmaṇas Follow into Exile and Śaunaka’s Instruction
परिक्लेशश्व वो मन्ये ध्रुवं तत्र भविष्यति । ब्राह्मणानां परिक्लेशो दैवतान्यपि सादयेत् । कि पुनर्मामितो विप्रा निवर्तध्वं यथेष्टत:,“मैं समझता हूँ, वहाँ आपलोगोंको अवश्य ही महान् कष्टका सामना करना पड़ेगा। ब्राह्मणोंको दिया हुआ क्लेश तो देवताओंका भी विनाश कर सकता है, फिर मेरी तो बात ही क्या है? अतः ब्राह्मणो! आपलोग यहाँसे अपने अभीष्ट स्थानको लौट जाया
parikleśaś ca vo manye dhruvaṁ tatra bhaviṣyati | brāhmaṇānāṁ parikleśo daivatāny api sādayet | ki punar mām ito viprā nivartadhvaṁ yatheṣṭataḥ ||
“I am convinced that, if you go there, you will certainly have to face great hardship. The suffering inflicted upon brāhmaṇas can bring ruin even upon the gods—how much more, then, upon one like me? Therefore, O venerable brāhmaṇas, turn back from here and return as you please to whatever place you desire.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a dharmic warning: causing hardship to brāhmaṇas is a grave wrong with far-reaching consequences—so serious that it is said to be capable of bringing down even the gods. Ethical restraint and protection of the vulnerable/holy are emphasized.
Vaiśampāyana addresses brāhmaṇas and cautions them that going to a certain place will surely bring them distress. Fearing the moral and karmic fallout of brāhmaṇas suffering, he urges them to turn back and return wherever they wish.