Shloka 16
एकचक्रानिवासप्रस्तावः | Ekacakrā Sojourn—Vyāsa’s Consolation and Directive
ज्ञात्वा च तान् सुविश्वस्ताउशयानानकुतो भयान् । अग्निस्त्वया ततो देयो द्वारतस्तस्य वेश्मन:,“जब तुम्हें यह भलीभाँति ज्ञात हो जाय कि पाण्डवलोग यहाँ विश्वस्त होकर रहने लगे हैं, इनके मनमें कहींसे कोई खटका नहीं रह गया है, तब उनके सो जानेपर घरके दरवाजेकी ओरसे आग लगा देना
jñātvā ca tān suviśvastān uśayānān akuto-bhayān | agnis tvayā tato deyo dvāratas tasya veśmanaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “When you have ascertained that they have become fully trusting, lying asleep without any fear or suspicion, then you must set fire—starting from the doorway—of that house.” The instruction underscores a calculated breach of dharma: exploiting trust and sleep to commit arson, an act framed in the narrative as deceitful and morally reprehensible.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an unethical strategy: waiting until others are trusting and asleep before attacking. It serves as a narrative example of adharma—harm done through deception and exploitation of vulnerability—contrasted elsewhere with ideals of righteous conduct.
An instruction is being given to ignite a house from the entrance once the intended victims are confirmed to be relaxed, unsuspecting, and asleep—part of the broader intrigue surrounding the attempt to destroy the Pāṇḍavas by burning them.