Shloka 19
दिवा चरन्ति मृगयां पाण्डवेया वनाद् वनम् | विश्वस्तवदविश्वस्ता वज्चयन्त: पुरोचनम् । अतुष्टा तुष्टवद् राजन्नूषु: परमविस्मिता:,पुरोचनके भयसे उस सुरंग खोदनेवालेने उसके मुखको बंद कर दिया था। दुष्टबुद्धि पुरोचन सर्वदा मकानके द्वारपर ही निवास करता था और पाण्डवगण भी रात्रिके समय शस्त्र सँभाले सावधानीके साथ उस द्वारपर ही रहा करते थे। (इसलिये पुरोचनको आग लगानेका अवसर नहीं मिलता था।) वे दिनमें हिंस़र पशुओंके मारनेके बहाने एक वनसे दूसरे वनमें विचरते रहते थे। पाण्डव भीतरसे तो विश्वास न करनेके कारण सदा चौकजन्ने रहते थे, परंतु ऊपरसे पुरोचनको ठगनेके लिये विश्वस्तकी भाँति व्यवहार करते थे। राजन! वे संतुष्ट न होते हुए भी संतुष्टकी भाँति निवास करते और अत्यन्त विस्मययुक्त रहते थे
divā caranti mṛgayāṃ pāṇḍaveyā vanād vanaṃ | viśvastavad aviśvastā vañcayantaḥ purocanam | atuṣṭā tuṣṭavad rājan ūṣuḥ paramavismitāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: By day the sons of Pāṇḍu roamed from forest to forest on the pretext of hunting. Though inwardly distrustful and ever on guard, they behaved outwardly as if trusting, thereby deceiving Purocana. O King, though not truly content, they stayed on as if content, remaining in a state of intense alert wonder—carefully masking fear and suspicion with controlled conduct. The episode highlights prudent self-restraint and strategic dissimulation used to protect life when faced with treachery.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When confronted with adharma and lethal deceit, one may need disciplined self-control and prudent strategy—maintaining outward calm while remaining inwardly vigilant—to protect life and uphold a larger righteous purpose.
The Pāṇḍavas, suspecting Purocana’s hostile intent, spend their days moving about under the guise of hunting and behave as though they trust him, while actually staying wary and watchful, thereby preventing him from easily executing his plan.