Shloka 38
Droṇa’s Ācārya-Dakṣiṇā: Capture of Drupada and Division of Pāñcāla (द्रोण-आचार्यदक्षिणा)
निर्ययुर्नगराच्छूरा: कौरवा: पाण्डवै: सह | उद्यानवनमासाद्य विसृज्य च महाजनम्
niryayur nagarāc chūrāḥ kauravāḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ saha | udyānavanam āsādya visṛjya ca mahājanam ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Para pahlawan Kaurava berangkat dari kota bersama para Pāṇḍava. Setelah tiba di taman permai dan rimba, mereka menyuruh pulang para tetua terkemuka serta pemimpin warga yang mengiringi mereka. Lalu para saudara itu memasuki taman, menatap keindahannya—laksana singa memasuki gua di gunung.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical contrast between public decorum and private intention: leaders may display unity and propriety before the community (mahājana), yet decisive actions often occur away from public scrutiny. It invites vigilance about dharma—true righteousness is consistent in both public and private spheres.
The Kauravas and Pāṇḍavas leave the city together and reach a garden-forest. After arriving, they dismiss the prominent citizens who had come along, and then the brothers enter the grove to view its beauty—setting the stage for events that will unfold away from the public eye.