Shloka 16
अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
सर्वमाचष्ट राजर्षिश्षिकीर्षितमथात्मन: । इसके बाद समस्त प्रकृतियों (प्रजा-मन्त्री आदि)-को बुलाकर राजर्षि युधिष्ठिरने, वे जो कुछ करना चाहते थे अपना वह सारा विचार उनसे कह सुनाया ।।
sarvam ācakṣṭa rājarṣiḥ śikīrṣitam athātmanaḥ | te śrutvaiva vacas tasya paurajānapadā janāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Lalu sang rājaṛṣi Yudhiṣṭhira memanggil seluruh unsur kerajaan—rakyat, para menteri, dan lainnya—dan menyampaikan dengan lengkap apa yang ia sendiri berniat lakukan. Begitu mendengar ucapannya, warga kota dan penduduk pedesaan terguncang batinnya dan sangat berduka; mereka tidak menyambut usul itu. Mereka berkumpul dan berkata kepada raja dengan satu suara: “Jangan lakukan ini—jangan tinggalkan kami dan pergi.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between a ruler’s personal resolve (often toward renunciation and final duty) and the people’s dependence on the king’s protective presence. It frames kingship as a moral bond: the king must act by dharma, yet the subjects’ welfare and emotional security are also part of that dharma.
Yudhiṣṭhira summons the key constituents of the kingdom (ministers, citizens, and provincial people) and openly states his intended course of action—his plan to depart. On hearing this, the populace becomes distressed and collectively urges him not to leave.