Shloka 16
त एवमुक्ता: प्रत्यूचू राजानमरिमर्दनम्,ऐसा उत्तर पाकर सब सुहदोंने शत्रुदमन राजा दुर्योधनसे कहा--'राजेन्द्र! तुम्हारी जो गति होगी वही हमारी भी होगी। भारत! हम तुम्हारे बिना हस्तिनापुरमें कैसे प्रवेश करेंगे?”
te evamuktāḥ pratyūcuḥ rājānam arimardanam | rājendra tava yā gatir bhaviṣyati saiva asmākam api bhaviṣyati | bhārata tvayā vinā vayaṃ hastināpuraṃ kathaṃ praviśema ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Así interpelados, los bienhechores respondieron al rey, domador de enemigos: «¡Oh señor de reyes! Cualquiera que sea el rumbo y el destino que te aguarden, ese mismo será el nuestro. ¡Oh vástago de Bharata! Sin ti, ¿cómo podríamos entrar en Hastināpura?»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethic of shared responsibility: true companions accept the same outcome as their leader, valuing fidelity and collective honor over individual safety. It also hints at the moral weight of political allegiance—standing with a king implies sharing the consequences of his chosen path.
After being addressed, the king’s well-wishers/allies respond to Duryodhana, declaring that his fate will be theirs too. They insist they cannot enter Hastināpura without him, emphasizing their dependence on his leadership and their commitment to remain united with him.