Shloka 34
नकुल: सहदेवश्न बीभत्सुश्च॒ परंतप । चिरं गतास्तोयहेतोर्न चागच्छन्ति भारत
nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca bībhatsuś ca parantapa | ciraṁ gatās toy-hetoḥ na ca āgacchanti bhārata ||
The Yakṣa said: “Nakula and Sahadeva, and Bībhatsu (Arjuna) too, O scorcher of foes—having gone long ago in search of water, have not returned, O Bhārata.”
यक्ष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up an ethical test: when companions fail to return, one must respond with steadiness and discernment rather than impulsive action—preparing the ground for dharma-centered questioning and truthful speech.
The Yakṣa informs Yudhiṣṭhira that his brothers Nakula, Sahadeva, and Arjuna went to fetch water and have been gone a long time without returning, prompting Yudhiṣṭhira to investigate and face the Yakṣa’s challenge.