Shloka 6
Dhaumya’s Counsel on Incognito Conduct in a Royal Household (राजवसतौ आचरण-निति)
वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! इस प्रकार आपसमें एक-दूसरेकी सलाह लेकर और अपने पृथक्-पृथक् कर्म बतलाकर पाण्डवोंने पुरोहित धौम्यकी भी सम्मति ली। तब पुरोहित धौम्यने उन्हें इस प्रकार सलाह दी
vaiśampāyana uvāca—janamejaya! evaṁ parasparaṁ mantrayitvā pṛthak-pṛthak svāni karmāṇi nivedya pāṇḍavāḥ purohitaṁ dhaumyaṁ api sammatim avāpuḥ. tataḥ purohito dhaumyaḥ tān evaṁ upadiśām āsa.
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai Janamejaya, setelah mereka berunding sesama sendiri demikian dan menjelaskan tugas masing-masing, para Pāṇḍava juga memohon serta memperoleh persetujuan pendeta keluarga mereka, Dhaumya. Lalu pendeta Dhaumya menasihati mereka seperti berikut.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before acting in a risky situation, the Pāṇḍavas deliberate together, clarify individual responsibilities, and seek the sanction of a trusted moral authority (the purohita). The verse highlights dharmic decision-making: collective counsel, transparency of roles, and guidance from elders.
The Pāṇḍavas, preparing their separate courses of action (their distinct roles), consult among themselves and then obtain the approval of their priest Dhaumya. After granting assent, Dhaumya begins to advise them on what to do next.