Shloka 20
द्रौपद्याः भीमसेन-प्रबोधनम्
Draupadī Awakens Bhīmasena
(यस्य चार्द्रस्य वृक्षस्य शीतच्छायां समाश्रयेत् । न तस्य पर्ण द्रुह्मेत पूर्ववृत्तमनुस्मरन् ।।
yasya cārdrasya vṛkṣasya śītacchāyāṃ samāśrayet | na tasya parṇa-druhmet pūrvavṛttam anusmaran ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。「青々と茂る生きた木の涼しい木陰に身を寄せた者は、それを裏切ってはならぬ――一枚の葉を傷つけることすらしてはならない。かつて受けた恩を忘れず、守り立てよ。」この格言は、庇護者・恩人への感謝と不背信の倫理、ことに依存しているときの戒めを示している。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
One must not betray a benefactor or protector after receiving shelter and benefit from them; even minimal harm is unethical. The verse frames gratitude as a dharmic obligation: remembering past help (pūrvavṛtta) should lead to active protection rather than exploitation.
In the Virāṭa-parvan context, the saying functions as a moral restraint: while living under another’s protection (like taking shade under a tree), one should not act treacherously toward that host. It supports the Pandavas’ need for restraint and careful conduct during their incognito stay.