Shloka 13
Udyoga Parva 21 — Bhīṣma’s Conciliatory Counsel, Karṇa’s Rebuttal, and Dhṛtarāṣṭra Sends Sañjaya (भीष्म-कर्ण-विवादः; संजय-प्रेषणम्)
यदि काडुश्षन्ति ते राज्यं पितृपैतामहं पुन: । यथाप्रतिज्ञं काल॑ तं चरन्तु वनमाश्रिता:,“यदि पाण्डव अपने बाप-दादोंका राज्य लेना चाहते हैं तो पूर्व-प्रतिज्ञाके अनुसार उतने समयतक पुनः वनमें निवास करें
yadi kāṅkṣanti te rājyaṃ pitṛpaitāmahaṃ punaḥ | yathā-pratijñaṃ kālaṃ taṃ carantu vanam āśritāḥ ||
यदि ते पाण्डवाः पितृपैतामहं राज्यं पुनरिच्छन्ति, तर्हि यथाप्रतिज्ञं तं कालं वनमाश्रिताः चरन्तु॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharma as fidelity to one’s pledged word: rightful claims to power must be pursued without violating agreed conditions, and ethical legitimacy is tied to honoring prior commitments.
In the Udyoga Parva’s negotiation context, a condition is articulated: if the Pāṇḍavas seek to reclaim their ancestral kingdom, they should first complete the promised term of forest-dwelling, in accordance with the earlier agreement.