Shloka 18
अरण्यवृत्ति-वैराग्योपदेशः | Forest Discipline and the Program of Non-Attachment
अपृच्छन् कस्यचिन्मार्ग प्रव्रजन्नेव केनचित् । न देशं न दिशं काज्चिद् गन्तुमिच्छन् विशेषतः
apṛcchan kasyacin mārgaṁ pravrajann eva kenacit | na deśaṁ na diśaṁ kāñcid gantum icchan viśeṣataḥ ||
Sebagai pengembara, aku akan terus melangkah di jalan mana pun yang datang, tanpa bertanya arah kepada siapa pun. Aku tidak akan memendam keinginan menuju tempat tertentu atau menjadikan suatu penjuru sebagai tujuan khusus.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes vairāgya (detachment): a disciplined resolve to wander without clinging to a chosen destination, and without dependence on others for guidance—symbolizing inner steadiness and freedom from preference.
Yudhiṣṭhira states his intention to depart as a wanderer/renunciant, describing a vow-like mode of travel: he will proceed on whatever path presents itself, avoid asking directions, and refrain from aiming at any particular place or direction.