Shloka 18
अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
न च राजा तथाकार्षीत् कालपर्यायधर्मवित् । परंतु धर्मात्मा राजा युधिष्ठिर कालके उलट-फेरके अनुसार जो धर्म या कर्तव्य प्राप्त था उसे जानते थे; अतः उन्होंने प्रजाके कथनानुसार कार्य नहीं किया ।।
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: Na ca rājā tathākārṣīt kālaparyāyadharmavit | Parantu dharmātmā rājā Yudhiṣṭhiraḥ kālaparyāyānusāreṇa yaḥ dharmo vā kartavyaṃ prāptaṃ tad avet; ataḥ sa prajāvacanānusāraṃ karma na cakāra || Tato ’numānya dharmātmā paurajānapadaṃ janam |
Vaiśampāyana disse: Mas o rei não agiu assim, pois compreendia o dever que muda com o tempo e as circunstâncias. De fato, o justo rei Yudhiṣṭhira sabia qual dharma—qual obrigação—lhe havia cabido segundo a virada do tempo; por isso não fez como o povo o instava. Então, tendo devidamente reconhecido os cidadãos e os habitantes do campo, aquele homem de retidão…
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is not a fixed rule applied mechanically; it must be discerned according to kāla (time) and paryāya (changing circumstance). A righteous ruler may respectfully hear the people yet choose a course aligned with the higher, situational duty.
As the Mahāprasthāna (great departure) unfolds, the people urge the king toward a certain action, but Yudhiṣṭhira—knowing the duty appropriate to the present turn of events—does not comply. He then acknowledges the citizens and countryfolk, indicating a respectful but firm resolve.