Shloka 5
ब्राह्मणानुयात्रा—शौनकोपदेशः
Brāhmaṇas Follow into Exile and Śaunaka’s Instruction
ब्राह्मणा ऊचु गतिर्या भवतां राजंस्तां वयं गन्तुमुद्यता: | ना्हस्यस्मान् परित्यक्तुं भक्तान् सद्धर्मदर्शिन:,ब्राह्मणोंने कहा--राजन्! आपकी जो गति होगी उसे भुगतनेके लिये हम भी उद्यत हैं। हम आपके भक्त तथा उत्तम धर्मपर दृष्टि रखनेवाले हैं। इसलिये आपको हमारा परित्याग नहीं करना चाहिये
brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ gatir yā bhavatāṃ rājan tāṃ vayaṃ gantum udyatāḥ | nārhasi asmān parityaktuṃ bhaktān saddharma-darśinaḥ ||
The brāhmaṇas said: “O King, whatever course of life and fate awaits you, we are prepared to go there with you. You should not abandon us—your devoted followers who keep their eyes on true dharma.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True dharma is shown through steadfast loyalty and moral clarity: devoted, dharma-minded companions willingly share the ruler’s hardship, and the king is ethically bound not to cast off such faithful supporters.
A group of brāhmaṇas addresses the king, declaring that they are ready to follow him wherever his destiny leads and urging him not to abandon them, since they are devoted and guided by right dharma.