Shloka 22
कुन्ती-युधिष्ठिरसंवादः
Kuntī–Yudhiṣṭhira Dialogue on Bhīma’s Mission
यतमाना वनं राजन् गहन प्रतिपेदिरे । ततः श्रान्ता: पिपासार्ता निद्रान्धा: पाण्डुनन्दना:,राजन! इस प्रकार आगे बढ़नेकी चेष्टा करते हुए वे सब-के-सब एक घने जंगलमें जा पहुँचे। उस समय पाण्डवलोग थके-माँदे, प्याससे पीड़ित और (अधिक जगनेसे) नींदमें अंधे-से हो रहे थे। वे महापराक्रमी भीमसेनसे पुनः इस प्रकार बोले--'भारत! इससे बढ़कर महान् कष्ट क्या होगा कि हमलोग इस घने जंगलमें फँसकर दिशाओंको भी नहीं जान पाते तथा चलने-फिरनेमें भी असमर्थ हो रहे हैं
yatamānā vanaṃ rājan gahanaṃ pratipedire | tataḥ śrāntāḥ pipāsārtā nidrāndhāḥ pāṇḍunandanāḥ ||
Vidura disse: “Esforçando-se para seguir adiante, ó Rei, todos entraram numa floresta densa. Então os filhos de Pāṇḍu—exaustos, atormentados pela sede e como que cegados pelo sono após longa vigília—viram-se oprimidos pela adversidade.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical realism of the epic: even the righteous and heroic are subject to bodily limits—fatigue, thirst, and disorientation. Dharma is not merely ideal speech; it is tested in hardship, where perseverance and mutual support become moral necessities.
Vidura narrates that the Pāṇḍavas, pressing forward, enter a thick forest and become severely worn out—thirst-stricken and drowsy—setting the stage for their further actions and dialogue as they struggle to find direction and relief.