Shloka 24
Vāraṇāvata-prasaṃsā and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure (वरणावत-प्रशंसा तथा पाण्डव-प्रयाणम्)
वीटां च मुद्रिकां चैव हाहमेतदपि द्वयम् । उद्धरेयमिषीकाभिशर्भोजन मे प्रदीयताम्,“देखो, मैं तुम्हारी गुल्ली और अपनी इस आअँगूठी दोनोंको सींकोंसे निकाल सकता हूँ। तुमलोग मेरी जीविकाकी व्यवस्था करो”
vīṭāṃ ca mudrikāṃ caiva hāham etad api dvayam | uddhareyam iṣīkābhir arbhajana me pradīyatām ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “Look! I can even extract both these—your pellet (for play) and this ring of mine—using only thin reeds. Arrange for my sustenance.” In context, the speaker demonstrates skill not for vanity but to secure basic livelihood, implying that ability should be matched with rightful support and that one may seek maintenance through honest means rather than deceit or harm.
वैशग्पायन उवाच