Shloka 16
Saubha-nipātana: Kṛṣṇa’s Counter to Śālva’s Māyā
Book 3, Chapter 23
आमन्त्रय पार्थ च वृकोदरं च धनंजयं याज्ञसेनीं यमौ च । प्रतस्थिरे राष्ट्रमपेतहर्षा युधिष्ठटिरेणानुमता यथास्वम्,तदनन्तर सब लोग कुन्तीपुत्र युधिष्ठिर, भीमसेन, अर्जुन, द्रौपदी तथा नकुल-सहदेवसे विदा ले एवं युधिष्ठिरकी अनुमति प्राप्त करके उदास होकर अपने राष्ट्रको प्रस्थित हुए
āmantarya pārthaṃ ca vṛkodaraṃ ca dhanañjayaṃ yājñasenīṃ yamau ca | pratasthire rāṣṭram apetaharṣā yudhiṣṭhireṇānumatā yathāsvam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having taken leave of Pārtha (Arjuna), Vṛkodara (Bhīma), Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), Yājñasenī (Draupadī), and the twin brothers (Nakula and Sahadeva), and having obtained Yudhiṣṭhira’s permission, they set out for their own kingdom—joyless and subdued in spirit.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in distress, one should act with maryādā (propriety): formally taking leave, seeking the rightful person’s consent, and departing without agitation. The verse highlights disciplined conduct and respect for authority as elements of dharma.
A group (contextually, those interacting with the Pāṇḍavas) takes leave of the principal Pāṇḍava figures—Bhīma, Arjuna, Draupadī, and the twins—and, with Yudhiṣṭhira’s permission, departs for their own kingdom, doing so in a joyless, heavy-hearted mood.