Shloka 18
Plakṣāvataraṇa–Yamunā Tīrtha and Prajāpati’s Vedī
Kurukṣetra Threshold
वैशम्पायन उवाच तत्र सभ्रातृकः स्नात्वा स्तूयमानो महर्षिभि: । लोमशं पाण्डवश्रेष्ठ इंदे वचनमब्रवीत्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! तदनन्तर भाइयोंसहित स्नान करके महर्षियोंद्वारा प्रशंसित हो पाण्डवश्रेष्ठ युधिष्ठिरने लोमशजीसे इस प्रकार कहा--
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tatra sabhrātṛkaḥ snātvā stūyamāno maharṣibhiḥ | lomaśaṃ pāṇḍavaśreṣṭha indre vacanam abravīt |
Vaiśampāyana said: There, after bathing together with his brothers and being praised by the great seers, Yudhiṣṭhira—the foremost of the Pāṇḍavas—addressed Lomaśa with these words. The scene underscores the Pāṇḍavas’ disciplined conduct and reverence for sages, setting a dharmic tone before the ensuing counsel.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic preparation: purification (snāna), humility, and receptivity to sage-guidance. Ethical counsel is framed as most effective when approached with discipline and reverence.
Vaiśampāyana narrates to King Janamejaya that Yudhiṣṭhira, after bathing with his brothers and being praised by the assembled sages, begins speaking to the sage Lomaśa—introducing the next exchange in the chapter.