Shloka 20
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 147 — Kanyā-paridevita
The daughter’s lament on lineage and protection
न चैनानन्वबुध्यन्त नरा नगरवासिन: । अन्यत्र विदुरामात्यात् तस्मात् खनकसत्तमात्,विदुरके मन्त्री और खोदाईके काममें श्रेष्ठ उस खनकको छोड़कर नगरके निवासी भी पाण्डवोंके विषयमें कुछ नहीं जान पाते थे
na cainān anvabudhyanta narā nagaravāsinaḥ | anyatra vidurāmātyāt tasmāt khanakasattamāt ||
E os homens que habitavam na cidade nada vieram a saber sobre eles (os Pāṇḍavas)—exceto o ministro de Vidura, aquele mineiro, o mais excelente dos escavadores. Assim, fora esse perito encarregado da escavação, os citadinos permaneceram ignorantes da situação dos Pāṇḍavas.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical power of loyal, discreet service: when dharma is threatened, trustworthy allies and careful secrecy can safeguard the righteous without drawing harm upon the wider public.
The city residents remain unaware of the Pāṇḍavas’ circumstances; only Vidura’s trusted agent—the expert miner involved in the digging—knows, indicating a covert operation kept hidden from the public.