Shloka 16
अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
सर्वमाचष्ट राजर्षिश्षिकीर्षितमथात्मन: । इसके बाद समस्त प्रकृतियों (प्रजा-मन्त्री आदि)-को बुलाकर राजर्षि युधिष्ठिरने, वे जो कुछ करना चाहते थे अपना वह सारा विचार उनसे कह सुनाया ।।
sarvam ācakṣṭa rājarṣiḥ śikīrṣitam athātmanaḥ | te śrutvaiva vacas tasya paurajānapadā janāḥ ||
वैशम्पायन उवाच—ततः सर्वाः प्रकृतीः समाहूय राजर्षिर्युधिष्ठिर आत्मनः शिकीर्षितं सर्वमाचष्ट। ते तस्य वचः श्रुत्वैव पौरजानपदा जनाः मनसा भृशमुद्विग्ना बभूवुः; न च तदभ्यनन्दन्। ते समवेत्यैकवाक्येन जनाधिपं प्रोचुः—“नैवं कर्तव्यम्; मा नः परित्यज्य गन्तुमर्हसि।”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between a ruler’s personal resolve (often toward renunciation and final duty) and the people’s dependence on the king’s protective presence. It frames kingship as a moral bond: the king must act by dharma, yet the subjects’ welfare and emotional security are also part of that dharma.
Yudhiṣṭhira summons the key constituents of the kingdom (ministers, citizens, and provincial people) and openly states his intended course of action—his plan to depart. On hearing this, the populace becomes distressed and collectively urges him not to leave.