Shloka 2
Dhaumya’s Counsel on Incognito Conduct in a Royal Household (राजवसतौ आचरण-निति)
पुरोहितो5यमस्माकमन्निहोत्राणि रक्षतु । सूदपौरोगवीै: सार्द्ध द्रपदस्य निवेशने,अब मेरी सलाह यह है कि ये पुरोहित धौम्यजी रसोइयों तथा पाकशालाध्यक्षके साथ राजा ट्रुपदके घर जाकर रहें और वहाँ हमारे अग्निहोत्रकी अग्नियोंकी रक्षा करें तथा ये इन्द्रसेन आदि सेवकगण केवल रथोंको लेकर शीघ्र यहाँसे द्वारकाको चले जायेँ
purohito ’yam asmākam agnihotrāṇi rakṣatu | sūda-paurogavaiḥ sārdhaṃ drupadasya niveśane ||
Yudhiṣṭhira berkata: “Biarlah pendeta keluarga kita ini melindungi api suci agnihotra. Bersama para tukang masak dan penyelia dapur, biarlah beliau tinggal di kediaman Raja Drupada, dan di sana menjaga agar api ritual kita terus terpelihara tanpa terputus.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid uncertainty and political danger, dharma is upheld by preserving essential sacred duties—here, the continuity and protection of the agnihotra fires—showing that ritual responsibility and moral order are not to be neglected.
Yudhiṣṭhira gives practical instructions: the family priest should stay at Drupada’s house with kitchen staff and protect the Pandavas’ agnihotra fires there, ensuring their rites continue safely while they manage their broader plans.