Shloka 52
Adhyāya 22: Śālva’s Weapon-Shower, Dāruka’s Wounding, and the Māyā-Report of Vasudeva’s Father
ब्राह्मणाश्ष विशश्वैव तथा विषयवासिन: । विसृज्यमाना: सुभृशं न त्यजन्ति सम पाण्डवान्,युधिष्ठिरके राज्यमें रहनेवाले ब्राह्मण तथा वैश्य बारंबार विदा करनेपर भी पाण्डवोंको छोड़कर जाना नहीं चाहते थे
brāhmaṇāś ca viśaś caiva tathā viṣayavāsinaḥ | visṛjyamānāḥ subhṛśaṃ na tyajanti sma pāṇḍavān ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The brāhmaṇas and the vaiśyas, and indeed the other inhabitants of the realm, though repeatedly urged to depart, would not abandon the Pāṇḍavas. Their steadfastness reflects a moral loyalty to righteous rulers in distress, choosing solidarity over self-preservation.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic loyalty: when righteous leaders face hardship, the community’s ethical response is steadfast support rather than opportunistic abandonment.
As the Pāṇḍavas are being separated from their former life and people are told to disperse, the brāhmaṇas, vaiśyas, and other residents refuse to leave them despite repeated dismissal.