Shloka 30
मा तात साहसं कार्षीमम पूर्वपरिग्रह: । प्रश्नानुक्त्वा तु कौन्तेय तत: पिब हरस्व च,धर्मपुत्रो महाबाहुर्विललाप सुविस्तरम् । अर्जुन मरे पड़े थे; उनके धनुष-बाण इधर-उधर बिखरे थे। भीमसेन और नकुल-सहदेव भी प्राणरहित हो निश्रेष्ट हो गये थे। इन सबको देखकर युधिष्ठिर गरम-गरम लंबी साँसें खींचने लगे। उनके नेत्रोंसे शोकके आँसू उमड़कर उन्हें भिगो रहे थे। अपने समस्त भ्राताओंको इस प्रकार धराशायी हुए देख महाबाह धर्मपुत्र युधिष्ठिर गहरी चिन्तामें डूब गये और देरतक विलाप करते रहे-- तात! जल पीनेका साहस न करना। इसपर मेरा पहलेसे ही अधिकार हो गया है। कुन्तीकुमार! मेरे प्रश्नोंका उत्तर दो और तब जल पीओ और ले भी जाओ
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca |
mā tāta sāhasaṃ kārṣīr mama pūrva-parigrahaḥ |
praśnān uktvā tu kaunteya tataḥ piba haraś ca ||
dharmaputro mahābāhur vilalāpa suvistaram ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “Dear child, do not act rashly. This water has already been claimed by me. O son of Kuntī, answer my questions first; only then may you drink—and take the water as well.” Seeing Arjuna fallen dead with his bow and arrows scattered, and Bhīmasena, Nakula, and Sahadeva likewise lifeless, the mighty-armed Dharmaputra Yudhiṣṭhira drew hot, heavy breaths; tears of grief welled up and drenched his eyes. Overwhelmed by sorrow at the sight of his brothers lying struck down, he sank into deep anxiety and lamented at length.
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses ethical restraint: do not act on impulse even in urgent need. One must respect rightful claim and submit to a moral test (answering questions) before taking what is desired—an early framing of dharma as self-control, accountability, and right conduct.
In the Yakṣa-prashna setting, Yudhiṣṭhira reaches the water after his brothers have drunk and fallen lifeless. A hidden guardian voice forbids him to drink, asserting prior claim and demanding answers to questions first. Yudhiṣṭhira, grieving, is nevertheless directed toward a dharmic dialogue rather than rash action.