Shloka 40
Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 1 — The Pandavas’ Exit from Gajasāhvaya and the Citizens’ Lament (जनमेजयप्रश्नः; पाण्डवानां वनप्रस्थानम्)
गुणान् पार्थस्य संस्मृत्य दुःखार्ता: परमातुरा: । अकामा: संन्यवर्तन्त समागम्याथ पाण्डवान्,कुन्तीपुत्र युधिष्ठिरके गुणोंका स्मरण करके प्रजावर्गके लोग दुःखसे पीडित और अत्यन्त आतुर हो गये। उनकी पाण्डवोंके साथ जानेकी इच्छा पूर्ण नहीं हो सकी। वे केवल उनसे मिलकर लौट आये
guṇān pārthasya saṁsmṛtya duḥkhārtāḥ paramāturāḥ | akāmāḥ saṁnyavartanta samāgamyātha pāṇḍavān ||
Mengingat kebajikan Pārtha (Yudhiṣṭhira), rakyat dilanda duka dan menjadi amat gelisah. Mereka ingin menyertai para Pāṇḍava, namun keinginan itu tak terpenuhi; mereka hanya sempat bertemu lalu kembali.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power of a righteous ruler’s virtues: remembering Yudhiṣṭhira’s guṇas intensifies the people’s sorrow at separation, showing how dharmic character inspires loyalty and moral attachment beyond mere political ties.
As the Pāṇḍavas proceed (in the context of their departure/exile), the subjects recall Yudhiṣṭhira’s virtues and become overwhelmed with grief. Although they wish to go with the Pāṇḍavas, they cannot; they meet them and then return home.