Shloka 7
ब्राह्मणानुयात्रा—शौनकोपदेशः
Brāhmaṇas Follow into Exile and Śaunaka’s Instruction
युधिछिर उवाच ममापि परमा भक्तित्रह्मणेषु सदा द्विजा: । सहायविपरिभ्रंशस्त्वयं सादयतीव माम्,युधिष्ठटिर बोले--विप्रगण! मेरे मनमें भी ब्राह्मणोंके प्रति उत्तम भक्ति है, किंतु यह सब प्रकारके सहायक साधनोंका अभाव ही मुझे दुःखमग्न-सा किये देता है। जो फल-मूल एवं शहद आदि आहार जुटाकर ला सकते थे वे ही ये मेरे भाई शोकजनित दुःखसे मोहित हो रहे हैं
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | mamāpi paramā bhaktir brāhmaṇeṣu sadā dvijāḥ | sahāya-viparibhraṁśas tvayaṁ sādayatīva mām ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O twice-born ones, I too have the highest and constant devotion toward the brāhmaṇas. Yet this collapse of all supporting means—this loss of help and resources—seems to wear me down and plunge me into distress.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts inner virtue (steadfast reverence for brāhmaṇas) with outer vulnerability (loss of practical supports). It highlights that dharma includes both right intention and the real-world conditions needed to sustain righteous living; deprivation can burden even the virtuous.
In the early Vana Parva setting of exile, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses brāhmaṇas respectfully, affirming his devotion to them while lamenting that the loss of resources and assistance in the forest is causing him deep distress.