Shloka 17
Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 1 — The Pandavas’ Exit from Gajasāhvaya and the Citizens’ Lament (जनमेजयप्रश्नः; पाण्डवानां वनप्रस्थानम्)
नेयमस्ति मही कृत्स्ना यत्र दुर्योधनो नृप: । साधु गच्छामहे सर्वे यत्र गच्छन्ति पाण्डवा:,जहाँ दुर्योधन राजा है, वहाँकी यह सारी पृथ्वी नहींके बराबर है, अत: यही ठीक होगा कि हम सब लोग वहीं चलें जहाँ पाण्डव जा रहे हैं
neyam asti mahī kṛtsnā yatra duryodhano nṛpaḥ | sādhu gacchāmahe sarve yatra gacchanti pāṇḍavāḥ ||
«Esta tierra entera no vale la pena allí donde reina el rey Duryodhana. Lo mejor, pues, es que todos vayamos al mismo lugar adonde se dirigen los Pāṇḍavas.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts that a realm ruled by an unrighteous king is ethically worthless; it is better to align oneself with the side associated with dharma (here, the Pāṇḍavas), even if that means leaving power, comfort, or territory.
Vaiśampāyana reports a resolve that remaining in a land dominated by Duryodhana is undesirable; the speakers decide it is proper for all of them to go where the Pāṇḍavas are headed, indicating a shift of allegiance and a willingness to share their exile-like path.