Shloka 23
Arjuna Restores a Brāhmaṇa’s Cattle and Accepts Forest Exile
Satya-vrata at Khaṇḍavaprastha
विप्रोषिता दीर्घकालमेते चापि नरर्षभा: | उत्सुका नगर द्रष्टे भविष्यन्ति तथा पृथा,दीर्घकालसे ये परदेशमें रह रहे हैं, अतः नरश्रेष्ठ पाण्डव तथा कुन्ती--सभी लोग अपना नगर देखनेके लिये उत्सुक हो रहे होंगे
viproṣitā dīrghakālam ete cāpi nararṣabhāḥ | utsukā nagara draṣṭuṁ bhaviṣyanti tathā pṛthā ||
วีรบุรุษผู้ประเสริฐเหล่านี้ (ปาณฑพ) อยู่ไกลบ้านเนิ่นนาน; เพราะฉะนั้น ทั้งปฤถา (กุนตี) และพวกเขาทั้งหมด ย่อมจักใคร่เห็นนครของตนอีกครั้งเป็นแน่
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a humane ethical insight used in counsel: prolonged separation naturally intensifies the desire to return home. Recognizing such legitimate longing is part of wise statecraft and dharmic sensitivity to others’ circumstances.
Vidura is speaking about the Pāṇḍavas and their mother Kuntī (Pṛthā), noting that after a long period away they will be eager to see their city again—an observation that frames expectations about their return and the political situation around it.