Shloka 25
धृतराष्ट्रस्य वनप्रस्थानम् — Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Departure for Forest Life
एवमाज्ञाप्य राजा स भ्रातृभि: सहपाण्डव: । श्वोभूते निर्यया राजन् सस्त्रीवृद्धपुर:सर:,राजन्! इस प्रकार आज्ञा देकर सबेरा होते ही अपने भाई पाण्डवोंसहित राजा युधिष्ठिरने स्त्री और बूढ़ोंको आगे करके नगरसे प्रस्थान किया
evam ājñāpya rājā sa bhrātṛbhiḥ saha pāṇḍavaḥ | śvobhūte niryayau rājan sa-strī-vṛddha-puraḥsaraḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Setelah mengeluarkan titah demikian, wahai Raja, tatkala fajar menyingsing, raja Pāṇḍava Yudhiṣṭhira berangkat dari kota bersama saudara-saudaranya, dengan kaum wanita dan orang tua diletakkan di hadapan.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic leadership: a king acts with foresight and compassion, prioritizing the safety and dignity of women and the elderly by placing them in front and organizing departure responsibly.
After giving the necessary instructions, Yudhiṣṭhira, accompanied by his brothers, leaves the city at dawn, arranging the procession so that women and aged persons go first.