Shloka 20
Parīkṣit-janma-saṃkaṭa and Kuntī’s petition to Vāsudeva (परिक्षिज्जन्मसंकटं कुन्त्याः प्रार्थना च)
एतद् वित्तं तदभवद् यदुद्धप्रे युधिष्ठिर: । षोडशाष्टौ चतुर्विशत्सहस्रं भारलक्षणम्
etad vittaṃ tad abhavad yad uddhṛtaṃ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | ṣoḍaśāṣṭau caturviṃśat-sahasraṃ bhāra-lakṣaṇam, dvaipāyanābhyanujñātaḥ puraskṛtya purohitam ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Ang yaman na ipinahukay at ipinakuha ni Yudhiṣṭhira ay umabot sa labing-anim na crore, walong lakh, at dalawampu’t apat na libong bhāra ng ginto. Nang makuha niya ang pahintulot ni Dvaipāyana (Vyāsa) at ilagay sa unahan ang pari ng kanilang angkan, nagpatuloy si Yudhiṣṭhira sa paglalakbay—isang gawaing naglalarawan na ang kasaganaan ng hari ay nagiging makatarungan lamang kapag tinipon at ginamit sa ilalim ng banal na payo at patnubay ng mga pari.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Royal wealth is portrayed as dharmically valid when it is gathered and used under the sanction of spiritual authority (Vyāsa) and in alignment with priestly guidance, emphasizing restraint, legitimacy, and accountability in kingship.
The narrator states the immense quantity of gold Yudhiṣṭhira had brought forth (measured in bhāras). With Vyāsa’s permission and with the royal priest placed foremost, Yudhiṣṭhira proceeds onward, marking a transition from accumulation to sanctioned action within the Aśvamedha-related events.