Shloka 22
Rājarṣi-samāgamaḥ — Yudhiṣṭhirasya Dharma-parīkṣā ca
Meeting the Royal Sage and a Dharmic Audit
आदाय पाण्डवांश्वैव तांश्ष विप्राननेकश: । लोमशेनैव सहिता: प्रययु: प्रीतमानसा:,जनमेजय! तब कुबेरके उस सरोवरका पता जाननेवाले उन घटोत्कच आदि सब राक्षसोंने “तथास्तु/ कहकर पाण्डवों तथा उन अनेकानेक ब्राह्मणोंको कंधेपर बैठाकर लोमशजीके साथ वहाँसे प्रसन्नतापूर्वक प्रस्थान किया
ādāya pāṇḍavāṁś caiva tāṁś ca viprān anekaśaḥ | lomaśenaiva sahitāḥ prayayuḥ prītamānasāḥ, janamejaya ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: “Ó Janamejaya, aqueles rākṣasas—como Ghaṭotkaca—que conheciam o caminho para o lago de Kubera assentiram com um ‘Assim seja’. Então, erguendo os Pāṇḍavas e os muitos brāhmaṇas (carregando-os sobre os ombros), partiram dali com o sábio Lomaśa, com o coração cheio de alegria.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic support and respectful cooperation: even powerful beings like rākṣasas can act as protectors and helpers of the righteous when guided by a sage, showing that conduct (ācāra) matters more than mere identity.
Rākṣasas who know the route to Kubera’s lake agree to lead the way; they physically carry the Pāṇḍavas and numerous brāhmaṇas on their shoulders and depart joyfully together with the sage Lomaśa.