Shloka 23
Arjuna Restores a Brāhmaṇa’s Cattle and Accepts Forest Exile
Satya-vrata at Khaṇḍavaprastha
विप्रोषिता दीर्घकालमेते चापि नरर्षभा: | उत्सुका नगर द्रष्टे भविष्यन्ति तथा पृथा,दीर्घकालसे ये परदेशमें रह रहे हैं, अतः नरश्रेष्ठ पाण्डव तथा कुन्ती--सभी लोग अपना नगर देखनेके लिये उत्सुक हो रहे होंगे
viproṣitā dīrghakālam ete cāpi nararṣabhāḥ | utsukā nagara draṣṭuṁ bhaviṣyanti tathā pṛthā ||
Vidura dit : «Ces hommes, pareils à des taureaux, ont longtemps vécu loin de leur patrie. Aussi les Pāṇḍava —les plus éminents des hommes— et Pṛthā (Kuntī) elle-même seront-ils assurément impatients de revoir leur cité.»
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a humane ethical insight used in counsel: prolonged separation naturally intensifies the desire to return home. Recognizing such legitimate longing is part of wise statecraft and dharmic sensitivity to others’ circumstances.
Vidura is speaking about the Pāṇḍavas and their mother Kuntī (Pṛthā), noting that after a long period away they will be eager to see their city again—an observation that frames expectations about their return and the political situation around it.