Shloka 27
Adhyāya 90: Babhruvāhana’s Reception and the Commencement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Aśvamedha
कदाचिद् धर्मिणस्तस्य दुर्भिक्षे सति दारुणे
kadācid dharmiṇas tasya durbhikṣe sati dāruṇe brāhmaṇaḥ
Nakula dit : Un jour, lorsqu’une famine effroyable survint, ce brāhmane vertueux tomba dans une détresse extrême. Sans grain en réserve et les récoltes des champs ayant séché, il devint totalement démuni—prélude à une épreuve d’endurance et de dharma au cœur de la pénurie.
नकुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames famine and poverty as a crucible for dharma: righteousness is not merely prosperity-based but is tested when resources vanish, inviting reflection on steadfastness, restraint, and ethical conduct under hardship.
Nakula begins recounting an episode about a righteous brāhmaṇa during a severe famine. With no stored grain and crops ruined, the brāhmaṇa becomes completely poor, preparing the narrative for subsequent choices and their moral implications.