Shloka 18
Adharma’s Short-Lived Prosperity and the Restorative Path of Tīrtha (लोमश–युधिष्ठिर संवादः)
वैशम्पायन उवाच गमने कृतबुद्धि तु पाण्डवं लोमशो<ब्रवीत् | लघुर्भव महाराज लघु: स्वैरं गमिष्यसि,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! तीर्थयात्राके लिये जिन्होंने निश्चित विचार कर लिया था, उन पाण्डु-नन्दन युधिष्ठिरसे महर्षि लोमशने कहा--“महाराज! लोकसमूहसे आप हलके हो जाइये--थोड़े ही लोगोंको साथ रखिये; क्योंकि थोड़े संगी-साथी होनेपर आप इच्छानुसार सर्वत्र जा सकेंगे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | gamane kṛtabuddhiṃ tu pāṇḍavaṃ lomaśo 'bravīt | laghur bhava mahārāja laghuḥ svairaṃ gamiṣyasi ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Quando o Pāṇḍava havia tomado firme resolução de partir, o sábio Lomaśa lhe falou: “Ó grande rei, viaja leve—reduz a multidão ao teu redor e mantém apenas alguns companheiros; pois, sem fardos, poderás mover-te livremente por onde desejares.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches practical restraint: even a king should reduce excess entourage and possessions when pursuing a dharmic goal like pilgrimage. Simplicity increases freedom of movement and reduces social burden, aligning action with purpose.
As Yudhiṣṭhira has decided to depart for a tīrtha-yātrā, the sage Lomaśa advises him to keep a small retinue. Vaiśampāyana narrates this counsel to King Janamejaya.