Shloka 9
Adhyāya 20 — Rājadharma Argument for Paternal Inheritance and Timely Conciliation
तदप्यनुमतं कर्म यथायुक्तमनेन वै । वासिताश्ष महारण्ये वर्षाणीह त्रयोदश
tad apy anumataṃ karma yathāyuktam anena vai | vāsitāś ca mahāraṇye varṣāṇīha trayodaśa ||
ಆ ಕಾರ್ಯವನ್ನೂ ಧೃತರಾಷ್ಟ್ರನು ಯಥಾವಿಧಿಯಾಗಿ ಅನುಮೋದಿಸಿದನು; ಅವನ ಆದೇಶದಂತೆ ಪಾಂಡವರು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಾರಣ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಹದಿಮೂರು ವರ್ಷ ವಾಸಿಸಲು ಬಾಧ್ಯರಾದರು।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of approval: when leaders or elders sanction a wrongful act, the harm becomes institutionalized, and the righteous may be forced into suffering under the guise of 'proper procedure.'
After the gambling episode and its outcomes, the decision is affirmed, and the Pāṇḍavas are compelled to undertake the stipulated term of exile—thirteen years—living in the great forest.