Brāhmaṇa-māhātmya: Tārkṣya’s instruction on tapas, satya, and svadharma
Chapter 182
ततो द्विजेभ्य: सर्वेभ्य: समेतेभ्यो यथातथम् | कथयामास तत् सर्व धर्मराजो युधिष्ठटिर:,तब धर्मराज युधिष्छिरने वहाँ एकत्र हुए सब ब्राह्मणोंको भीमसेनके सर्पके चंगुलसे छूटनेका वह सारा वृत्तान्त कह सुनाया
tato dvijebhyaḥ sarvebhyaḥ sametebhyo yathātatham | kathayāmāsa tat sarvaṃ dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Then Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira, addressing all the assembled brāhmaṇas, related to them—just as it had occurred—the entire account of Bhīmasena’s deliverance from the serpent’s grasp, thereby upholding truthful narration and responsible leadership in the face of danger.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
A dharmic leader communicates truthfully and transparently to the learned community; reporting events “yathātatham” (as they occurred) models integrity, accountability, and respect for counsel.
After the incident, Yudhiṣṭhira speaks to the assembled brāhmaṇas and recounts the full sequence of events exactly as it happened, framing the episode for communal understanding and guidance.