Shloka 26
Tīrtha-yātrā: Prayāga-saṅgama and Gayaśiras—Rājarṣi Gaya’s Mahāyajña
धौम्येन सहिता वीरास्तथा तैर्वनवासिभि: । मार्गशीर्ष्पामतीतायां पुष्येण प्रययुस्तत:,राजेन्द्र! तदनन्तर महर्षि लोमश, द्वैपायन व्यास, देवर्षि नारद और पर्वतके चरणोंका स्पर्श करके वनवासी ब्राह्मणों, पुरोहित धौम्य और लोमश आदिके साथ वीर पाण्डव तीर्थयात्राके लिये निकले। मार्गशीर्षकी पूर्णिमा व्यतीत होनेपर जब पुष्य नक्षत्र आया तब उसी नक्षत्रमें उन्होंने यात्रा प्रारम्भ की
dhaumyena sahitā vīrās tathā tair vanavāsibhiḥ | mārgaśīrṣam atītāyāṃ puṣyeṇa prayayus tataḥ, rājendra |
Vaiśampāyana said: O best of kings, once the full-moon of Mārgaśīrṣa had passed and the Puṣya lunar mansion arrived, the heroic Pāṇḍavas set out on their pilgrimage, accompanied by their priest Dhaumya and by the Brahmins dwelling in the forest. The timing underscores a disciplined, auspicious beginning—undertaken with reverence for sages and with the guidance of learned elders, aligning their journey with dharma and sacred observance.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic discipline: undertaking major actions—especially sacred travel—under the guidance of learned elders and at an auspicious, ritually appropriate time, reflecting reverence, restraint, and alignment with sacred order.
After the full-moon of the month Mārgaśīrṣa, when the Puṣya nakṣatra arrives, the Pāṇḍavas depart to begin their tīrtha-yātrā (pilgrimage), accompanied by their priest Dhaumya and forest-dwelling Brahmins.