Shloka 27
Virāṭanagara-nivāsa-nirṇaya
Decision to Reside in Virāṭa’s City
आसं युधिष्ठिरस्याहं पुरा प्राणसम: सखा । इति वक्ष्यामि राजानं यदि मां सोडनुयोक्ष्यते
āsaṃ yudhiṣṭhirasya ahaṃ purā prāṇasamaḥ sakhā | iti vakṣyāmi rājānaṃ yadi māṃ so 'nuyoṣyate ||
「もし王が私に『お前は何者か』と問うなら、こう告げよう。『私はかつてユディシュティラの友であり、彼にとって命にも等しく愛された者である』と。」
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights truthful speech guided by discretion: one should be honest about one’s identity and relationships, yet speak in a way appropriate to circumstance, especially when safety and duty are at stake.
The speaker explains how he will answer if questioned by the king: he will identify himself as someone who was formerly Yudhiṣṭhira’s extremely dear friend, indicating a careful plan for self-presentation during a sensitive period.