Shloka 10
मृगस्वप्नदर्शनम्
The Deer’s Dream-Appeal and the Move to Kāmyaka
एतानास्थाय वै यत्ता गन्धर्वान् योद्धुमाहवे । सुयोधनस्य मोक्षाय प्रयतध्वमतन्द्रिता:
etān āsthāya vai yattā gandharvān yoddhum āhave | suyodhanasya mokṣāya prayatadhvam atandritāḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Taking up these (arms/means) and being fully prepared, go forth to fight the Gandharvas in battle. Strive without slackness, for the deliverance of Suyodhana (Duryodhana).”
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even toward an adversary, a righteous king upholds dharma: one should not abandon a kinsman to humiliation or unlawful harm. Yudhiṣṭhira’s command frames rescue as a duty grounded in honor, kinship, and the ethics of kingship, not personal liking.
After Suyodhana (Duryodhana) has fallen into danger at the hands of the Gandharvas, Yudhiṣṭhira instructs his companions to arm themselves and fight decisively to secure Duryodhana’s release.