Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 1 — The Pandavas’ Exit from Gajasāhvaya and the Citizens’ Lament (जनमेजयप्रश्नः; पाण्डवानां वनप्रस्थानम्)
उदकेनैव तां रात्रिमूषुस्ते दुःखकर्षिता: । अनुजम्मुश्न तत्रैतान् स्नेहात् केचिद् द्विजातय:,दुःखसे पीड़ित हुए वे पाँचों पाण्डुकुमार उस रातमें केवल जल पीकर ही रह गये। कुछ ब्राह्मण-लोग भी इन पाण्डवोंके साथ स्नेहवश वहाँतक चले आये थे
udakenaiva tāṁ rātrim ūṣuḥ te duḥkhakarṣitāḥ | anujam muśn(a) tatra etān snehāt kecid dvijātayaḥ ||
Вайшампаяна сказал: Сокрушённые и изнурённые скорбью, они провели ту ночь, поддерживая себя лишь водой. Из любви и сострадания некоторые дважды-рождённые брахманы также сопровождали этих Пандавов до того места, не желая оставлять их одних в беде.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights dharmic solidarity: in times of unjust suffering, the righteous are sustained not only by austerity and endurance but also by the compassionate companionship of good people who remain out of affection and moral support.
At the outset of the forest-exile narrative, the Pāṇḍavas, overwhelmed by grief, pass the night with only water for sustenance, while some Brahmins, moved by affection, accompany them to that place and stay near them.