Shloka 37
ऋतुपर्णस्य विदर्भयात्रा-निश्चयः तथा बाहुकस्य हयपरिक्षा (Ṛtuparṇa’s resolve to go to Vidarbha and Bāhuka’s examination of horses)
क्व नु त्वं कितवच्छित्त्वा बस्त्रार्थ प्रस्थितो मम । उत्सृज्य विपिने सुप्तामनुरक्तां प्रियां प्रिय,'“ओ जुआरी प्रियतम! तुम वनमें सोयी हुई और अपने पतिमें अनुराग रखनेवाली मुझ प्यारी पत्नीको छोड़कर तथा मेरे आधे वस्त्रको फाड़कर कहाँ चल दिये?
kva nu tvaṁ kitavac chittvā vastrārthaṁ prasthito mama | utsṛjya vipine suptām anuraktāṁ priyāṁ priya ||
「ああ、賭博に溺れる人よ、愛しき方よ！ わたしの衣を裂いて己の身を覆い、森の中で眠る、夫に心寄せる愛しい妻を捨てて——あなたはどこへ行ったのですか。」
युदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse condemns irresponsible desire and addiction (here symbolized by the ‘gambler’) that leads one to violate basic duties—especially protection and care of one’s spouse. It frames ethical failure as abandoning the devoted and vulnerable for selfish gain.
Yudeva rebukes a man he calls ‘gambler’ for leaving after tearing off cloth for himself, while abandoning Yudeva’s beloved wife asleep in the forest—highlighting betrayal and neglect in a wilderness setting.