Shloka 17
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 147 — Kanyā-paridevita
The daughter’s lament on lineage and protection
चक्रे च वेश्मनस्तस्य मध्येनातिमहद् बिलम् । कपाटसयुक्तमज्ञातं सम॑ भूम्याश्व भारत,भारत! उसने उस भवनके ठीक बीचसे वह महान् सुरंग निकाली। उसके मुहानेपर किवाड़ लगे थे। वह भूमिके समान सतहमें ही बनी थी; अत: किसीको ज्ञात नहीं हो पाती थी
vaiśampāyana uvāca | cakre ca veśmanas tasya madhyenātimahad bilam | kapāṭasayuktam ajñātaṃ samaṃ bhūmyāśu bhārata ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: En el mismo centro de aquella casa hizo abrir un pasaje subterráneo inmenso. Su entrada estaba provista de puertas y permanecía oculta, al quedar al ras del suelo; así, oh Bhārata, no podía ser descubierta.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Prudence and foresight are essential when facing hidden hostility; protective measures that avoid direct harm can be aligned with dharma as self-preservation amid adharma-driven threats.
A large concealed tunnel is constructed through the center of a house, with a door-fitted entrance made flush with the ground so it remains undetected—serving as a secret escape route in a dangerous plot context.