Shloka 34
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
यो<5पाश्रय: पाण्डवानां देवानामिव वासव: । स ते भ्राता सखा चैव कथमद्य धनंजय:
yo 'pāśrayaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ devānām iva vāsavaḥ | sa te bhrātā sakhā caiva katham adya dhanaṃjayaḥ ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: “Dia yang menjadi tempat bersandar para Pāṇḍava, sebagaimana Vāsava (Indra) menjadi perlindungan para dewa—dialah saudaramu sekaligus sahabatmu, Dhanaṃjaya (Arjuna). Bagaimanakah keadaannya hari ini?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic ideal of a protector-leader: just as Indra functions as the gods’ support, Arjuna is portrayed as the Pāṇḍavas’ mainstay. Ethical emphasis falls on responsibility, loyalty, and the burden borne by the one on whom others depend.
In Udyoga Parva’s pre-war setting, Vaiśaṃpāyana reports a query about Arjuna’s present condition. The speaker underscores Arjuna’s central role for the Pāṇḍavas by comparing him to Indra, thereby intensifying concern and anticipation before the coming conflict.