Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 146 — Brāhmaṇī’s counsel on grief, duty, and protection of children
तदस्माभिरिमं पाप॑ तं च पापं सुयोधनम् । वज्चयद्/िर्निवस्तव्यं छन्नावासं क्वचित् क्वचित्,इसलिये इस पापात्मा पुरोचन तथा पापी दुर्योधनको भी धोखेमें रखते हुए हमें यहीं कहीं किसी गुप्त स्थानमें निवास करना चाहिये
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: tad asmābhir imaṃ pāpaṃ taṃ ca pāpaṃ suyodhanam | vañcayadbhir nivastavyaṃ channāvāsaṃ kvacit kvacit ||
Yudhiṣṭhira dit : « C’est pourquoi nous devons tenir dans l’illusion cet homme pervers (Purocana) et ce Suyodhana (Duryodhana) tout aussi pervers. Vivons cachés, demeurant tantôt ici tantôt là dans des refuges secrets, afin que nul ne connaisse notre trace. »
युधिछिर उवाच
The verse highlights prudence under threat: when faced with adharma and lethal deceit, one may adopt secrecy and strategic counter-deception to protect life and preserve the possibility of restoring dharma later.
After recognizing the danger posed by Purocana’s scheme and Duryodhana’s intent, Yudhiṣṭhira advises that they should not reveal their awareness; instead, they should mislead their enemies and live in hidden places, moving discreetly.