Shloka 2
उपोपविष्टा विद्वांस: सहिता: संशितव्रता: । ये तद्भक्ता वसन्ति सम वनवासे तपस्विन:
upopaviṣṭā vidvāṃsaḥ sahitāḥ saṃśitavratāḥ | ye tadbhaktā vasanti sama vanavāse tapasvinaḥ ||
उपोपविष्टा विद्वांसः सहिताः संशितव्रताः। ये तद्भक्ता वसन्ति समं वनवासे तपस्विनः॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that decisive moments should be approached in the company of the wise and the disciplined: learning (vidyā), austerity (tapas), and steadfast vows (vrata) create moral clarity, while devotion and loyal companionship sustain those undergoing hardship.
A group of learned, vow-observant ascetics—devoted to the Pāṇḍavas—are seated together with them during the forest exile. The gathering frames a consultative setting, preparing for counsel and decisions connected with the next phase of their ordeal.