Shloka 5
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
ये ते बाल्यात् प्रभृत्येव गुरुशुश्रूषणे रता: । परस्परस्य सुहृद: सम्मता: समचेतस: । निकृत्या भ्रेशिता राज्याज्जना्हा निर्जनं गता:
ye te bālyāt prabhṛtyeva guruśuśrūṣaṇe ratāḥ | parasparasya suhṛdaḥ sammatāḥ samacetasaḥ | nikṛtyā bhreśitā rājyāj janāḥ nirjanaṃ gatāḥ |
Waiśampāyana berkata: “Putra-putramu—para Pāṇḍava—sejak masa kanak-kanak tekun melayani dan menghormati para guru serta orang tua; saling mengasihi sebagai sahabat; dihormati oleh semua; dan berhati seimbang terhadap siapa pun. Namun karena tipu daya musuh, mereka terusir dari kerajaannya dan pergi ke rimba sunyi, padahal layak hidup di tengah rakyat.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that genuine virtues—service to teachers and elders, mutual loyalty, public esteem, and impartiality—do not guarantee protection from adharma; treachery can still cause suffering. Ethically, it underscores the contrast between the Pāṇḍavas’ dharmic character and the opponents’ nikṛti (deceit), framing the later conflict as a response to injustice rather than mere ambition.
Vaiśaṃpāyana recalls the Pāṇḍavas’ exemplary conduct from childhood and then states the turning point: despite being worthy and respected, they were dispossessed of their kingdom through enemies’ deceit and forced into lonely exile. This remembrance functions as a moral and emotional justification within the Udyoga Parva’s lead-up to war.