Shloka 15
वसिष्ठ-प्रशंसा
Vasiṣṭha as Purohita: Ascetic Mastery and Royal Counsel
एवं पृष्ट: स बहुशो रक्षमाणश्व पाण्डवान् । उवाच नागरान् सर्वानिदं विप्रर्षभस्तदा,इस प्रकार उनके बार-बार पूछनेपर उस श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणने पाण्डवोंको गुप्त रखते हुए समस्त नागरिकोंसे इस प्रकार कहा--
evaṁ pṛṣṭaḥ sa bahuśo rakṣamāṇaś ca pāṇḍavān | uvāca nāgarān sarvān idaṁ viprarṣabhas tadā ||
เมื่อถูกซักถามซ้ำแล้วซ้ำเล่า พราหมณ์ผู้ประเสริฐนั้นก็ยังคงปกป้องความลับของปาณฑพ แล้วกล่าวแก่ชาวเมืองทั้งปวงดังนี้
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharmic discretion: one may be obligated to speak, yet must do so in a way that protects those under one’s care. Ethical speech includes responsibility for consequences, especially when vulnerable persons (here, the Pāṇḍavas) could be endangered.
After repeated questioning by the townspeople, an eminent brāhmaṇa—while keeping the Pāṇḍavas concealed and safe—turns to address all the citizens, preparing to give an explanation that does not compromise their security.