Shloka 263
Vāraṇāvata-prasaṃsā and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure (वरणावत-प्रशंसा तथा पाण्डव-प्रयाणम्)
एवमुक्त: प्रत्युवाच प्रहस्य भरतानिदम् | युधिष्ठिर बोले--ब्रह्मन! आप कृपाचार्यकी अनुमति ले सदा यहीं रहकर भिक्षा प्राप्त करें। उनके यों कहनेपर द्रोणने हँसकर उन भरतवंशी राजकुमारोंसे कहा
evam uktaḥ pratyuvāca prahasya bharatān idam | yudhiṣṭhira uvāca—brahman! āp kṛpācārya-kī anumati le sadā yahīṃ rahkar bhikṣā prāpta kareṃ | unke yoṃ kahne par droṇ ne haṃs kar un bharatavaṃśī rājaputroṃ se kahā |
Nang masabi ni Yudhiṣṭhira ang gayon, sumagot si Droṇa na may ngiti sa mga prinsipe ng angkan ng Bharata. Magalang na hinimok ni Yudhiṣṭhira ang brāhmaṇa na humingi ng pahintulot kay Kṛpa at manatili roon, nabubuhay sa limos. Sa gayong pananalita, tumawa si Droṇa at nagsalita sa mga prinsipe ng Bharata—isang sandaling nagpapakita ng pagsisikap nilang panatilihin ang wastong kaugalian at pagkamapagpatuloy sa isang brāhmaṇa-guro, habang ang masayang tugon ni Droṇa’y nagpapahiwatig ng mas malalim na layon at ng pag-usbong ng kanilang pag-aaral sa sining ng pakikidigma.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights dharmic conduct toward a Brahmin and teacher: seeking proper permission (anumati), offering support through alms (bhikṣā), and maintaining respectful speech. It frames ethical hospitality and institutional propriety within the royal household.
Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully advises the Brahmin (Drona) to obtain Kṛpa’s consent and stay there sustained by alms. In response, Drona smiles and addresses the Bharata princes, signaling that he is about to state his purpose and shape their future training.