Shloka 8
Vyāsa’s Counsel to the Concealed Pāṇḍavas; Śaṃkara’s Boon and the Predestination of Draupadī
Chapter 157
ततः कदाचित् भैक्षाय गतास्ते पुरुषर्षभा: । संगत्या भीमसेनस्तु तत्रास्ते पूृथया सह,तदनन्तर एक दिन नरश्रेष्ठ युधिष्ठिर आदि चार भाई भिक्षाके लिये गये; किंतु भीमसेन किसी कार्यविशेषके सम्बन्धसे कुन्तीके साथ वहाँ घरपर ही रह गये थे
tataḥ kadācit bhaikṣāya gatās te puruṣarṣabhāḥ | saṅgatyā bhīmasenas tu tatrāste pṛthayā saha ||
Then, on one occasion, those bull-like men (the Pāṇḍava brothers) went out to seek alms. Bhīmasena, however, remained there at home together with Pṛthā (Kuntī), having stayed back for a particular reason. The scene underscores the disciplined life of hardship they were living, where even princes upheld restraint and duty, while family care and practical necessity could require one to remain behind.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in adversity, the righteous maintain disciplined conduct (seeking alms as a regulated livelihood), while also honoring practical responsibilities—such as staying back to care for or assist family—showing dharma as both principled and situational.
The Pāṇḍava brothers go out to collect alms, reflecting their constrained circumstances. Bhīma does not go with them; he remains at home with their mother Kuntī (Pṛthā) because of a specific matter requiring his presence.