Shloka 28
ऋषय ऊचु. प्रागेव नागतं कस्मात् सभार्येण त्वया विभो | विरात्रे चागतं कस्मात् को5नुबन्धस्तवाभवत्,ऋषि बोले--राजकुमार! तुम अपनी पत्नीके साथ पहले ही क्यों नहीं चले आये? क्यों इतनी रात बिताकर आये? तुम्हारे सामने कौन-सी अड़चन आ गयी थी?
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | prāg eva nāgataṃ kasmāt sabhāryeṇa tvayā vibho | virātre cāgataṃ kasmāt ko 'nubandhas tavābhavat |
The sages said: “O mighty one, why did you not come earlier, together with your wife? Why did you arrive only after the night had grown late? What obstacle or pressing circumstance held you back?”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical accountability in conduct: when one arrives late or deviates from expected duty (especially with family responsibilities), elders inquire into the cause. It implies that delays should have a justifiable reason and that one should be transparent about obstacles affecting dharma and proper behavior.
A group of sages question a powerful person who has arrived late with his wife. They ask why he did not come earlier and what impediment or compelling circumstance caused the delay, setting up an explanation of the events that intervened.