Shloka 12
Kāmyaka-vane Pāṇḍava-nivāsaḥ — Vidurasya āgamanam ca (कamyake वने पाण्डवनिवासः—विदुरस्य आगमनं च)
सो<5चिरेण समासाद्य तद् वन यत्र पाण्डवा: । रौरवाजिनसंवीतं ददर्शाथ युधिष्िरम्,राजाका यह वचन सुनकर संजयने उनका आदर करते हुए “बहुत अच्छा” कहकर काम्यकवनको प्रस्थान किया। जहाँ पाण्डव रहते थे, उस वनमें शीघ्र ही पहुँचकर संजयने देखा, राजा युधिष्छिर मृगचर्म धारण करके विदुरजी तथा सहमों ब्राह्मणोंके साथ बैठे हुए हैं। और देवताओंसे घिरे हुए इन्द्रकी भाँति अपने भाइयोंसे सुरक्षित हैं
Vaiśampāyana uvāca — so 'cireṇa samāsādya tad vana yatra pāṇḍavāḥ | rauravājinasaṃvītaṃ dadarśātha yudhiṣṭhiram |
Vaiśampāyana said: Not long after, he reached that forest where the Pāṇḍavas were staying. There he saw King Yudhiṣṭhira, clad in a ruru-deer skin, seated in the company of Vidura and many brāhmaṇas—protected by his brothers, and radiant like Indra surrounded by the gods. The scene underscores the Pāṇḍavas’ disciplined endurance in exile and the ethical dignity with which Yudhiṣṭhira bears hardship while remaining anchored in counsel, learning, and dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic resilience: even in exile, Yudhiṣṭhira maintains dignity and ethical steadiness, choosing simplicity (deer-skin, forest life) while remaining supported by wise counsel (Vidura, brāhmaṇas) and by the protective solidarity of his brothers.
A visitor/messenger reaches the forest where the Pāṇḍavas dwell (Kāmyaka) and sees Yudhiṣṭhira seated with Vidura and many brāhmaṇas, clothed in deer-skin, guarded by his brothers—likened to Indra surrounded by the gods.