Shloka 16
Tīrtha-yātrā: Prayāga-saṅgama and Gayaśiras—Rājarṣi Gaya’s Mahāyajña
भीमसेनादिभिरवर्वरिर््रातृभि: परिवारित: । बाढमित्यब्रवीत् सर्वास्तानृषीन् पाण्डवर्षभ:
bhīmasenādibhir bhrātṛbhiḥ parivāritaḥ | bāḍham ity abravīt sarvās tān ṛṣīn pāṇḍavarṣabhaḥ ||
Surrounded by his brothers—Bhīmasena and the rest—the bull among the Pāṇḍavas replied to all those sages, “So be it.” Before the holy seers he gave a measured assent, honoring their counsel and showing readiness to act in accordance with righteous guidance.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct: a leader, supported by his kin, responds to spiritual authorities with respectful assent, indicating humility, receptivity to wise counsel, and commitment to act rightly.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates that the foremost Pāṇḍava, surrounded by Bhīma and his other brothers, answers the assembled sages with “bāḍham” (“certainly/so be it”), signaling agreement with what the sages have said or requested.