Shloka 20
कैलास-श्वेतगिरि-प्रवेशवर्णनम्
Approach to Śveta Mountain and Kailāsa; Lomāśa’s Warnings and Protective Instructions
ततो महात्मा स यमौ समेत्य मूर्थन्युपाप्राय विमृज्य गात्रे । उवाच तौ बाष्पकलं स राजा मा भैष्टमागच्छतमप्रमत्तौ,तत्पश्चात् महात्मा राजा युधिष्ठिरने नकुल-सहदेवके पास जाकर उनका मस्तक सूँघा और शरीरपर हाथ फेरा। फिर नेत्रोंसे आँसू बहाते हुए कहा--'भैया! तुम दोनों भय न करो और सावधान होकर आगे बढ़ो”
tato mahātmā sa yamau sametya mūrdhany upāprāya vimṛjya gātre | uvāca tau bāṣpakalaṃ sa rājā mā bhaiṣṭam āgacchatam apramattau ||
そのとき大いなる魂をもつ王は双子の兄弟に近づき、彼らの頭頂に顔を寄せて愛おしげにその香りを嗅ぎ、手で四肢を撫でた。目に涙を湛え、こう告げた。「弟たちよ、恐れるな。前へ進め。ただし油断なく、常に警戒せよ。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in danger and uncertainty, leadership grounded in dharma expresses itself through compassion and reassurance, while still insisting on alertness (apramāda). Fear is calmed not by recklessness but by vigilant courage supported by familial care.
Yudhiṣṭhira meets the twin brothers Nakula and Sahadeva, shows intimate brotherly affection by touching and smelling their heads and stroking their bodies, and—tearfully—encourages them to proceed without fear, yet with careful vigilance.