Shloka 22
Adharma’s Short-Lived Prosperity and the Restorative Path of Tīrtha (लोमश–युधिष्ठिर संवादः)
ये चाप्यनुरता: पौरा राजभक्तिपुर:सरा: । धृतराष्ट्र महाराजमभिगच्छन्तु ते च वै,जो पुरवासी राजभक्तिवश मेरे पीछे-पीछे चले आये हैं, वे अब महाराज धूृतराष्ट्रके पास चले जायँ। वे उनके लिये यथासमय समुचित आजीविका प्रदान करेंगे। यदि राजा धृतराष्ट्र उचित जीविकाकी व्यवस्था न करें तो पांचालनरेश ट्रुपद हमारा प्रिय और हित करनेके लिये अवश्य आपलोगोंको जीविका देंगे
ye cāpy anuratāḥ paurā rājabhaktipuraḥsarāḥ | dhṛtarāṣṭra-mahārājam abhigacchantu te ca vai ||
Yudhiṣṭhira berkata: “Dan hendaklah para warga kota yang setia—yang mengikuti aku karena bakti kepada raja—kini pergi menghadap Mahārāja Dhṛtarāṣṭra. Pada waktunya ia akan memberi mereka penghidupan yang patut. Namun bila sang raja tidak mengatur nafkah yang semestinya, maka Raja Drupada dari Pāñcāla—sahabat yang kita kasihi dan menghendaki kebaikan kita—pasti akan menanggung kalian semua.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma includes ensuring the livelihood and protection of dependents and loyal subjects; even amid exile and political strain, Yudhiṣṭhira prioritizes the welfare of those who followed him and directs them to legitimate support, emphasizing responsible governance and compassionate duty.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses the townspeople who had followed him out of loyalty. He instructs them to return and approach King Dhṛtarāṣṭra for maintenance; if Dhṛtarāṣṭra fails to provide, Yudhiṣṭhira points to Drupada of Pāñcāla as an alternative patron who will support them.