Shloka 32
Rājarṣi-samāgamaḥ — Yudhiṣṭhirasya Dharma-parīkṣā ca
Meeting the Royal Sage and a Dharmic Audit
नकुलं सहदेवं च तथान्यान् ब्राह्मणर्षभान् | विनयेन नता: सर्वे प्रणिपत्य च भारत,“यदि मेरा प्रिय करना चाहते हो तो फिर ऐसा काम न करना।” भीमसेनको ऐसा उपदेश देकर उन्होंने पूर्वोक्त सौगन्धिक कमल ले लिये और वे देवोपम पाण्डव उसी सरोवरके तटपर इधर-उधर भ्रमण करने लगे। इसी समय शिलाओंको आयुधरूपमें ग्रहण किये, बहुत-से विशालकाय उद्यानरक्षक वहाँ प्रकट हो गये। भारत! उन्होंने धर्मराज युधिष्ठिर, महर्षि लोमश, नकुल-सहदेव तथा अन्यान्य श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणोंको विनयपूर्वक नतमस्तक होकर प्रणाम किया। फिर धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरने उन्हें सान्त्वना दी। इससे वे निशाचर (राक्षस) प्रसन्न हो गये। तदनन्तर वे कुरुप्रवर पाण्डव धनाध्यक्ष कुबेरकी जानकारीमें कुछ कालतक वहाँ आनन्दपूर्वक टिके रहे और गन्धमादन पर्वतके शिखरोंपर अर्जुनके आगमनकी प्रतीक्षा करते रहे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | nakulaṃ sahadevaṃ ca tathānyān brāhmaṇarṣabhān | vinayena natāḥ sarve praṇipatya ca bhārata |
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Bhārata, Nakula and Sahadeva, along with other bull-like sages among the brāhmaṇas, all bowed with humility and, having prostrated themselves, offered reverence.” In the surrounding narrative context, the Pāṇḍavas—having been cautioned not to repeat a wrongful act—take the fragrant saugandhika lotuses and remain near the lake. Then formidable garden-guardians appear, receive respectful homage, and, being reassured by Yudhiṣṭhira’s gentle words, become pleased; the Pāṇḍavas stay there for a time with Kubera’s awareness, awaiting Arjuna’s arrival on the peaks of Gandhamādana.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds vinaya—humble, disciplined conduct. Even amid tension, proper reverence and courteous speech (as later shown by Yudhiṣṭhira’s reassurance) can transform hostility into goodwill, aligning action with dharma.
After the saugandhika-lotus incident and a warning not to repeat the offense, the Pāṇḍavas remain by the lake. Powerful garden-guardians appear; the party responds with respectful prostration, and Yudhiṣṭhira’s calming words please them. With Kubera’s cognizance, the Pāṇḍavas stay on Gandhamādana awaiting Arjuna.