Shloka 3
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 147 — Kanyā-paridevita
The daughter’s lament on lineage and protection
प्रच्छन्नं विदुरेणोक्त: श्रेयस्त्वमिति पाण्डवान् | प्रतिपादय विश्वासादिति कि करवाणि व:,“मुझे विदुरजीने भेजा है। मैं सुरंग खोदनेके काममें बड़ा निपुण हूँ। मुझे आप पाण्डवोंका प्रिय कार्य करना है, अतः आपलोग बतायें, मैं आपकी क्या सेवा करूँ? विदुरने गुप्तरूपसे मुझसे यह कहा है कि तुम वारणावतमें जाकर विश्वासपूर्वक पाण्डवोंका हित सम्पादन करो। अत: आप आज्ञा कीजिये कि मैं क्या करूँ?
prachchhannaṃ vidureṇoktaḥ śreyas tvam iti pāṇḍavān | pratipādaya viśvāsād iti kiṃ karavāṇi vaḥ ||
Ele disse: “Vidura falou-me em segredo: ‘Deves trabalhar pelo bem-estar dos Pāṇḍavas.’ Ordenou-me que fosse a Vāraṇāvata e, conquistando a confiança deles, assegurasse o seu bem. Portanto, dizei-me—o que devo fazer por vós?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic prudence: when righteous people face covert danger, ethical allies may act discreetly to protect them. Trust (viśvāsa) is presented as a necessary means for safeguarding welfare (śreyas) without alerting hostile forces.
A messenger acting on Vidura’s confidential instruction approaches the Pāṇḍavas at Vāraṇāvata, stating that he has been sent to accomplish their welfare by gaining their confidence, and asks what service he should perform—setting the stage for a secret protective plan.