Shloka 34
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
यो<5पाश्रय: पाण्डवानां देवानामिव वासव: । स ते भ्राता सखा चैव कथमद्य धनंजय:
yo 'pāśrayaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ devānām iva vāsavaḥ | sa te bhrātā sakhā caiva katham adya dhanaṃjayaḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana disse: “Aquele que é o refúgio dos Pāṇḍavas, como Vāsava (Indra) é o refúgio dos deuses—ele, teu irmão e também teu amigo, Dhanaṃjaya (Arjuna): como está ele hoje?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic ideal of a protector-leader: just as Indra functions as the gods’ support, Arjuna is portrayed as the Pāṇḍavas’ mainstay. Ethical emphasis falls on responsibility, loyalty, and the burden borne by the one on whom others depend.
In Udyoga Parva’s pre-war setting, Vaiśaṃpāyana reports a query about Arjuna’s present condition. The speaker underscores Arjuna’s central role for the Pāṇḍavas by comparing him to Indra, thereby intensifying concern and anticipation before the coming conflict.