Shloka 11
Ghaṭotkaca’s Conveyance to Badarī and Entry into the Nara-Nārāyaṇa Āśrama (घटोत्कच-वाहनम्; नरनारायणाश्रम-प्रवेशः)
सुकुमारौ कथं पादौ मुखं च कमलप्रभम् । मत्कृतेड्द्य वरार्हाया: श्यामतां समुपागतम्,जो सुखके श्रेष्ठ साधनोंका उपभोग करनेयोग्य है, उसी द्रौपदीके ये दोनों सुकुमार चरण और कमलकी कान्तिसे सुशोभित मुख आज मेरे कारण कैसे काले पड़ गये हैं?
sukumārau kathaṃ pādau mukhaṃ ca kamalaprabham | matkṛte ’dya varārhāyāḥ śyāmatāṃ samupāgatam ||
Yudhiṣṭhira disse: “Como podem seus dois pés tão delicados e seu rosto radiante como o lótus—ela, digna dos melhores confortos—terem hoje, por minha causa, caído numa sombria aflição? Como pôde isso acontecer a Draupadī por minha conta?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical accountability: a leader’s choices can bring suffering upon dependents, and true dharma includes remorse, empathy, and owning responsibility for harm caused—especially to those who deserved protection and honor.
In the forest-exile context of the Vana Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira looks upon Draupadī’s hardship and loss of radiance and laments that her delicate feet and lotus-like face have become darkened with suffering because of his actions and decisions.