Shloka 6
शकुनेः पुत्रेण सह आश्वमेधाश्वविषयः संघर्षः — Arjuna’s restrained engagement with Śakuni’s son during the horse-escort
प्रोवाचेद॑ वच: काले तदा धर्मभूतां वर: । आमन्त्र्य वदतां श्रेष्ठो भीम॑ प्रहरतां वरम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
provācedaṁ vacaḥ kāle tadā dharmabhūtāṁ varaḥ |
āmantrya vadatāṁ śreṣṭho bhīmaṁ praharatāṁ varam, kurunandana |
तदा काले यथायोग्यं धर्मभूतां वरः प्रभुः । आमन्त्र्य वदतां श्रेष्ठो भीमं प्रहरतां वरम् ॥ कुरुनन्दन, युधिष्ठिरः समयोचितं वचनं प्रोवाच।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma-guided leadership: a righteous king speaks only at the proper time and addresses the most capable person for the task, combining ethical authority (dharma) with practical discernment (kāla, timeliness).
The narrator introduces a scene where Yudhiṣṭhira, after summoning Bhīma, begins to deliver a timely instruction. The verse functions as a transition into Yudhiṣṭhira’s counsel or command directed specifically to Bhīma.