Shloka 17
अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
भृशमुद्विग्नमनसो नाभ्यनन्दन्त तद्गबच: । नैवं कर्तव्यमिति ते तदोचुस्तं जनाधिपम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | bhṛśam udvignamanaso nābhyanandanta tad-vacaḥ | naivaṁ kartavyam iti te tadocus taṁ janādhipam |
Vaiśampāyana dit : Le cœur violemment agité, le peuple n’accueillit point ces paroles. Tous ensemble ils s’adressèrent au seigneur des hommes en disant : « Cela ne doit pas être fait — n’agissez pas ainsi. »
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic tension: a ruler’s intended course (implied departure/renunciation) is judged by the people as improper at that moment. Their response—“naivaṁ kartavyam”—frames ethics as accountable to communal welfare and the responsibilities of kingship.
After hearing the king’s statement, the people become inwardly distressed and refuse to welcome it. They collectively address him and urge him not to proceed, insisting that such an action should not be done.