Shloka 17
Mahāprasthānika-parva Adhyāya 2: The Northward March, Sight of Himavat and Meru, and the Sequential Falls
नकुल: पतितस्तस्मादागच्छ त्वं वृकोदर । यस्य यद् विहित॑ वीर सोडवश्यं तदुपाश्षुते
vaiśampāyana uvāca | nakulaḥ patitas tasmād āgaccha tvaṃ vṛkodara | yasya yad vihitaṃ vīra so 'vaśyaṃ tad upāśnute ||
“Karena itu Nakula jatuh. Mari, Vṛkodara. Wahai pahlawan, apa pun yang ditetapkan bagi seseorang, itulah yang pasti ia alami.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the inevitability of karmic consequence: each person must experience the result of what is allotted/earned. In context, Nakula’s fall is linked to subtle pride in his beauty, illustrating that even refined self-conceit becomes an obstacle on the path of final renunciation.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ great departure (mahāprasthāna), Nakula collapses on the way. The speaker addresses Bhīma (Vṛkodara) to continue onward, stating that the fallen one is meeting his destined consequence—implicitly explained as the fruit of Nakula’s inner attachment and pride.