Shloka 24
Adhyāya 90: Babhruvāhana’s Reception and the Commencement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Aśvamedha
धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्र धर्मज्ञैर्बहुभिव॒ते | उज्छवृत्तिद्विज: कश्चित् कापोतिरभवत् तदा
Nakula uvāca | dharmakṣetre kurukṣetre dharmajñair bahubhir vṛte | ucchavṛttir dvijaḥ kaścit kāpotir abhavat tadā |
नकुल बोले—धर्मक्षेत्र कुरुक्षेत्र में, जहाँ बहुत-से धर्मज्ञ महात्मा निवास करते थे, एक ब्राह्मण रहता था। वह उञ्छवृत्ति से जीवन-निर्वाह करता था; कबूतर की भाँति बचे हुए अन्नकण चुनकर लाता और उसी अल्प आहार से अपने कुटुम्ब का पालन करता था।
नकुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic living through restraint and contentment: a brāhmaṇa sustains his family without exploitation, taking only what is left over, exemplifying ethical livelihood (ājīvika) and humility even while remaining a householder.
Nakula begins a moral tale set in sacred Kurukṣetra, introducing an unnamed brāhmaṇa who lives by gleaning scattered grains ‘like a pigeon’ and supports his household through this austere, non-possessive way of life.