Shloka 22
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Procession, Encampment (Niveśa), and Auspicious Timing for Ritual Action
ततः प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य शिरोभि: प्रणिपत्य च | ब्राह्मणानग्निसहितान् प्रययु: पाण्डुनन्दना:,तत्पश्चात् पाण्डवोंने अग्निसहित ब्राह्मणोंकी परिक्रमा करके उनके चरणोंमें मस्तक झुकाकर वहाँसे प्रस्थान किया
tataḥ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya śirobhiḥ praṇipatya ca | brāhmaṇān agnisahitān prayayuḥ pāṇḍunandanāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then the sons of Pāṇḍu, having reverentially circumambulated the Brāhmaṇas who were accompanied by the sacred fire, and having bowed down with their heads at their feet, departed from that place. The act underscores dharmic humility—honouring spiritual authority and the sanctity of ritual before proceeding onward.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct: one should honour spiritual guides and sacred rites through respectful gestures—circumambulation and prostration—before undertaking the next action. Reverence and humility are presented as ethical foundations of righteous life.
After completing the relevant ritual context, the Pāṇḍavas show formal respect to the Brāhmaṇas who are with the sacred fire by circumambulating them and bowing at their feet, and then they depart from that place.