Shloka 80
Ajñātavāsa-saṅkalpaḥ — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Resolve and Dhaumya’s Exempla on Concealment
यदि नोत्सहसे गन्तुं सरुज॑ त्वां हि लक्षये । न च ज्ञास्यसि पन्थानं तमसा संवृते वने,परंतु मैं आपको रुग्ण देख रही हूँ। ऐसी दशामें यदि आपके मनमें चलनेका उत्साह न हो अथवा इस तिमिराच्छन्न वनमें यदि आपको रास्तेका ज्ञान न हो सके तो आपकी अनुमति होनेपर हम दोनों कल सबेरे, जब वनकी हर एक वस्तु स्पष्ट दीखने लगे, घर चलेंगे। अनघ! यदि आपकी रुचि हो तो एक रात हमलोग यहीं निवास करें
yadi notsahase gantuṃ sarujaṃ tvāṃ hi lakṣaye | na ca jñāsyasi panthānaṃ tamasā saṃvṛte vane ||
Yama disse: “Se não tens ânimo para seguir —pois vejo que estás em dor— e se, nesta floresta coberta de trevas, não consegues sequer discernir o caminho, então, com o teu consentimento, partamos ambos para casa amanhã ao romper da aurora, quando cada coisa no bosque se tornar nítida. Ó irrepreensível, se te aprouver, fiquemos aqui por uma só noite.”
यम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes compassionate prudence: when someone is unwell and conditions are unsafe (darkness obscuring the path), one should not force action but choose a safer time and provide supportive companionship, seeking consent and prioritizing wellbeing.
Yama addresses a companion who appears sick and unable to navigate a dark forest. He proposes waiting through the night and traveling at dawn, when visibility returns, framing the decision as dependent on the other’s consent.