Shloka 5
Śaṅkha–Likhita Upākhyāna: Daṇḍa, Confession, and the Purification of Kingship (शङ्ख-लिखितोपाख्यानम्)
धर्ममर्थ च कामं॑ च भ्रातृभि: सह भारत । अनुभूय ततः पश्चात् प्रस्थातासि विशाम्पते,“भरतनन्दन! प्रजानाथ! इस समय भाइयोंके साथ तुम धर्म, अर्थ और कामका उपभोग करो। पीछे वनमें चले जाना
dharmaṁ arthaṁ ca kāmaṁ ca bhrātṛbhiḥ saha bhārata | anubhūya tataḥ paścāt prasthātāsi viśāmpate ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai Bhārata, tuan kepada rakyat—mula-mula, bersama saudara-saudaramu, hayatilah dan sempurnakan dharma, artha, dan kāma menurut kadar yang wajar. Sesudah itu barulah engkau boleh berangkat (ke rimba), wahai pemerintah.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse affirms a balanced ethical life: a king should first fulfill the three human aims—dharma (righteous governance), artha (public welfare and stability), and kāma (legitimate enjoyment)—in proper order and measure, and only thereafter take up withdrawal/renunciation such as departing for the forest.
Vaiśampāyana narrates counsel addressed to Yudhiṣṭhira: rather than immediately leaving for the forest, he is urged to remain with his brothers, complete his responsibilities and rightful enjoyments, and then depart later when duties are fulfilled.