Shloka 4
अद्यैव ते सम्प्रयाता: समैर्वत्मभिरस्थलै: । गुणज्येष्ठास्तथा श्रेष्ठा: श्रेयांसो यद् वयं परै:
adyaiva te samprayātāḥ samair vatmabhir asthalaiḥ | guṇajyeṣṭhās tathā śreṣṭhāḥ śreyāṃso yad vayaṃ paraiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: «Aun hoy mismo han partido, tomando los caminos llanos que se han vuelto tan concurridos que no dejan terreno libre. Pues somos superiores a nuestros adversarios—mayores en mérito y en antigüedad; por eso nuestra posición es más alta que la suya».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how claims of superiority based on merit and seniority can be used to justify status and entitlement. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, such self-assertion is morally precarious: true śreyas (the higher good) depends on dharma and restraint, not merely on birth, rank, or proclaimed excellence.
The speaker reports that “they” have already departed, taking the common, level routes that are crowded. The statement then contrasts “us” with “the opponents,” asserting greater merit and seniority and therefore a higher standing—reflecting the tense political-moral atmosphere surrounding the Pāṇḍavas’ departure toward the forest.