Shloka 9
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Procession, Encampment (Niveśa), and Auspicious Timing for Ritual Action
तच्चाचष्ट तदा व्यासो मरुत्तस्य धन नृपा: । “ब्रह्मवादी महात्मा व्यासजीका वचन परिणाममें हमारा कल्याण करनेवाला है। कौरवो! इस समय इस सारी पृथ्वीपर रत्न एवं धनका नाश हो गया है; अतः हमारी आर्थिक कठिनाई दूर करनेके लिये व्यासजीने उस दिन हमें मरुत्तके धनका पता बताया था ।। ८६ || यद्येतद् वो बहुमतं मन्यध्वं वा क्षमं यदि
taccācaṣṭa tadā vyāso maruttasya dhanaṁ nṛpāḥ | yady etad vo bahumataṁ manyadhvaṁ vā kṣamaṁ yadi ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Vyāsa disclosed to the kings the treasure of Marutta. “If this seems agreeable to you, and if you judge it to be proper,” he said—guiding them toward a practical remedy in a time when wealth and precious resources had been exhausted, yet urging that their decision rest on what is fitting and acceptable.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when a solution is available (here, knowledge of a treasure), action should be taken only if it is collectively judged to be proper (kṣama) and acceptable (bahumata). The verse frames material relief within ethical deliberation rather than mere expediency.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Vyāsa informs the kings about Marutta’s wealth and presents it as an option, inviting their consent and assessment of its propriety before proceeding.