Shloka 13
Prabhāsa-tīrthe Vṛṣṇi–Pāṇḍava-saṅgamaḥ; Halī Rāmasya dharma-vimarśaḥ
Meeting at Prabhāsa and Balarāma’s Reflection on Dharma
व्यूढोत्तरांसान् पृथुलोहिताक्षान् नेमान् सम पृच्छन् स शूणोति नूनम् । प्रास्थापयद् यत् सवनं सशड्को युधिष्ठिरं सानुजमात्तशस्त्रम्,धृतराष्ट्र सुदृढ़ कंधे तथा विशाल एवं लाल नेत्रोंवाले इन भीष्म आदिसे कोई बात पूछता तो है, परंतु निश्चय ही उनकी बात सुनकर मानता नहीं है, तभी तो भाइयोंसहित शस्त्रधारी युधिष्ठिरके प्रति भी मनमें शंका रखकर इन्हें उसने वनमें भेज दिया है
vyūḍhottarāṃsān pṛthulohitākṣān nemān sama pṛcchan sa śṛṇoti nūnam | prāsthāpayad yat savanaṃ saśaṅko yudhiṣṭhiraṃ sānujaṃ āttaśastram ||
Baladeva said: “These men—broad-shouldered and large, reddish-eyed—seem to ask questions as if seeking counsel, yet surely they do not truly listen or accept what they hear. That is why, harboring suspicion even toward Yudhiṣṭhira, who was armed and accompanied by his younger brothers, he sent him away to the forest.”
बलदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical failure in governance: merely asking for counsel is meaningless if one refuses to truly listen and accept wise advice. Suspicion and distrust—especially toward the righteous—lead to unjust decisions with far-reaching consequences.
Baladeva comments critically on the conduct of powerful men at court: they appear to consult others but do not heed them. Because of such distrust, Yudhiṣṭhira—though accompanied by his brothers and prepared for danger—was sent away into forest exile.