Shloka 39
उलूकदूतवाक्यम् / Ulūka’s Message to the Pāṇḍavas
गते रामे तीर्थयात्रां भीष्मकस्य सुते तथा । उपाविशन् पाण्डवेया मन्त्राय पुनरेव च,बलरामजीके तीर्थयात्रामें और भीष्मकपुत्र रुक्मीके अपने नगरको चले जानेपर पाण्डवोंने पुनः गुप्त मन्त्रणाके लिये बैठक की
gate rāme tīrthayātrāṃ bhīṣmakasya sute tathā | upāviśan pāṇḍaveyā mantrāya punar eva ca ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Lorsque Rāma (Balarāma) fut parti en pèlerinage, et que le fils de Bhīṣmaka (Rukmī) fut retourné dans sa propre cité, les fils de Pāṇḍu s’assirent de nouveau pour un conseil secret.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent governance: when external parties depart and distractions subside, leaders should deliberate privately and carefully. Ethical action in crisis is supported by thoughtful counsel (mantra), not impulsive reaction.
Balarāma leaves on a pilgrimage, and Rukmī (Bhīṣmaka’s son) returns to his city. With these figures gone, the Pāṇḍavas convene again for a confidential strategy discussion as events move toward confrontation.