Shloka 37
Parṇāda’s Report; Bāhuka’s Counsel; Damayantī’s Strategic Svayaṃvara Message (अध्याय ६८)
कथं च नष्टा ज्ञातिभ्यो भर्तुर्वा वामलोचना । त्वया च विदिता विप्र कथमेवंगता सती,युधिष्ठिर! तब राजमाताने सुदेवको बुलाकर पूछा--“विप्रवर! जान पड़ता है, तुम इसे जानते हो। बताओ, यह सुन्दरी युवती किसकी पत्नी अथवा किसकी पुत्री है? यह सुन्दर नेत्रोंवाली सुन्दरी अपने भाई-बन्धुओं अथवा पतिसे किस प्रकार विलग हुई है? यह सती- साध्वी नारी ऐसी दुरवस्थामें क्यों पड़ गयी?
kathaṁ ca naṣṭā jñātibhyo bhartur vā vāmalochanā | tvayā ca viditā vipra katham evaṁgatā satī, yudhiṣṭhira |
Disse Bṛhadaśva: “Como se separou esta mulher de olhos de gazela de seus parentes ou de seu esposo? E, já que tu, ó brāhmaṇa, pareces conhecê-la, diz-nos: como veio esta dama virtuosa a cair em tal condição, ó Yudhiṣṭhira?”
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic responsibility: when a vulnerable person—especially a virtuous woman separated from her protectors—appears in distress, elders and leaders should inquire carefully, seek truthful knowledge, and respond with protection and appropriate aid rather than indifference.
Bṛhadaśva questions Yudhiṣṭhira about an unknown, doe-eyed woman who has become separated from her relatives or husband. Noting that a brāhmaṇa present seems to recognize her, he urges an explanation of who she is and how she has fallen into such a plight.