Shloka 38
Bhāgīrathī-tīra-śauca, Kurukṣetra-gamana, and Śatayūpa-āśrama-dīkṣā (गङ्गातीरशौच–कुरुक्षेत्रगमन–शतयूपाश्रमदीक्षा)
फल मूलं च बुभुजे राज्ञा दत्त सहानुज: । ततस्ते वृक्षमूलेषु कृतवासपरिग्रहा: । तां रात्रिमवसन् सर्वे फलमूलजलाशना:
phala-mūlaṃ ca bubhuje rājñā dattaḥ sahānujāḥ | tatas te vṛkṣa-mūleṣu kṛta-vāsa-parigrahāḥ | tāṃ rātrim avasan sarve phala-mūla-jalāśanāḥ ||
Menerima apa yang dianugerahkan raja, Yudhiṣṭhira bersama adik-adiknya menyantap buah-buahan dan umbi-umbian itu. Lalu mereka semua berketetapan untuk bermalam di pangkal-pangkal pohon, dan menghabiskan malam itu di sana—hanya buah, umbi, dan air yang menjadi santapan mereka.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic simplicity and restraint: one should live with minimal needs, accept what is properly offered, and embody ethical moderation—especially in a forest/austere setting—without seeking luxury or excess.
Yudhiṣṭhira and his brothers eat the fruits and roots given by the king, then decide to lodge beneath trees and pass the night living only on fruits, roots, and water, reflecting their austere mode of life.