Shloka 16
अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
सर्वमाचष्ट राजर्षिश्षिकीर्षितमथात्मन: । इसके बाद समस्त प्रकृतियों (प्रजा-मन्त्री आदि)-को बुलाकर राजर्षि युधिष्ठिरने, वे जो कुछ करना चाहते थे अपना वह सारा विचार उनसे कह सुनाया ।।
sarvam ācakṣṭa rājarṣiḥ śikīrṣitam athātmanaḥ | te śrutvaiva vacas tasya paurajānapadā janāḥ ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。そこで王仙ユディシュティラは、集められた大臣、都の民、そしてあらゆる人々に向かい、自ら成そうとすることを余すところなく告げた。彼の言葉を聞くや否や、都人も郷人も胸中で激しく動揺し、深い悲嘆に沈んだ。彼らはその申し出を喜ばず、皆が集まって一つの声で王に言った。「そのようにしてはなりませぬ——我らを捨てて去られませぬように。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between a ruler’s personal resolve (often toward renunciation and final duty) and the people’s dependence on the king’s protective presence. It frames kingship as a moral bond: the king must act by dharma, yet the subjects’ welfare and emotional security are also part of that dharma.
Yudhiṣṭhira summons the key constituents of the kingdom (ministers, citizens, and provincial people) and openly states his intended course of action—his plan to depart. On hearing this, the populace becomes distressed and collectively urges him not to leave.