Shloka 21
Rājarṣi-samāgamaḥ — Yudhiṣṭhirasya Dharma-parīkṣā ca
Meeting the Royal Sage and a Dharmic Audit
तथेत्युक्त्वा तु ते सर्वे हैडिम्बप्रमुखास्तदा । उद्देशज्ञा: कुबेरस्य नलिन्या भरतर्षभ,जनमेजय! तब कुबेरके उस सरोवरका पता जाननेवाले उन घटोत्कच आदि सब राक्षसोंने “तथास्तु/ कहकर पाण्डवों तथा उन अनेकानेक ब्राह्मणोंको कंधेपर बैठाकर लोमशजीके साथ वहाँसे प्रसन्नतापूर्वक प्रस्थान किया
tathety uktvā tu te sarve haiḍimbapramukhās tadā | uddeśajñāḥ kuberasya nalinyā bharatarṣabha janamejaya ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Having replied, “So be it,” all those rākṣasas—led by the Haiḍimba clan—who knew the route to Kubera’s lotus-lake, then, O bull among the Bharatas, O Janamejaya, joyfully set out from that place together with the sage Lomaśa, carrying the Pāṇḍavas and the many brāhmaṇas upon their shoulders. The scene underscores the ethic of assistance and hospitality: even beings famed for ferocity can act as protectors when aligned with righteous purpose and guided by the wise.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Assistance offered in a righteous cause is a form of dharma: strength and power become ethically meaningful when used to protect travelers, support sages, and serve a just journey.
The Haiḍimba-led rākṣasas, familiar with the way to Kubera’s lotus-lake (Nalini), agree to help. They depart happily with Lomaśa, carrying the Pāṇḍavas and many brāhmaṇas on their shoulders to guide them onward.