Shloka 2
Sarasvatī–Tārkṣya Saṃvāda: Agnihotra-vidhi, Dāna-phala, and Mokṣa-prasaṅga (सरस्वती–तार्क्ष्यसंवादः)
ततस्तान् परिविश्वस्तान् वसतः पाण्डुनन्दनान् | ब्राह्मणा बहवस्तत्र समन्तात् पर्यवारयन्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--कुरुनन्दन जनमेजय! काम्यकवनमें पहुँचनेपर वहाँके मुनियोंने युधिष्ठिर आदि पाण्डवोंका यथोचित आदर-सत्कार किया। फिर वे द्रौपदीके साथ वहाँ रहने लगे। जब वे विश्वासपात्र पाण्डव वहाँ निवास करने लगे, तब बहुत-से ब्राह्मणोंने आकर सब ओसरसे उन्हें घेर लिया (और उन्हींके साथ रहने लगे)। तदनन्तर एक दिन एक ब्राह्मण आया। उसने यह सूचना दी कि सबको वशमें रखनेवाले उदारबुद्धि महाबाहु भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण, जो अर्जुनके प्रिय सखा हैं, अभी यहाँ पधारेंगे
tatas tān pariviśvastān vasataḥ pāṇḍu-nandanān | brāhmaṇā bahavas tatra samantāt paryavārayan | vaiśampāyana uvāca |
Vaiśampāyana said: Thereafter, as the sons of Pāṇḍu—now settled there in trust and security—were living in that place, many brāhmaṇas gathered around them on every side, surrounding them and remaining in their company. The scene underscores how the righteous, even in exile, become a refuge for the learned and the needy, and how a king’s dharma includes protecting and sustaining those who seek shelter.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in hardship, those established in dharma become a support-system for society: the learned and vulnerable naturally gather around a righteous ruler for protection, counsel, and sustenance. The verse hints at the reciprocal bond—brāhmaṇas seek shelter, and kṣatriyas uphold their duty by hosting and safeguarding them.
After the Pāṇḍavas have begun living in their forest residence, many brāhmaṇas arrive and surround them from all sides, staying close. This sets the stage for subsequent events in which visitors and supplicants approach the exiled brothers.