Shloka 16
अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
सर्वमाचष्ट राजर्षिश्षिकीर्षितमथात्मन: । इसके बाद समस्त प्रकृतियों (प्रजा-मन्त्री आदि)-को बुलाकर राजर्षि युधिष्ठिरने, वे जो कुछ करना चाहते थे अपना वह सारा विचार उनसे कह सुनाया ।।
sarvam ācakṣṭa rājarṣiḥ śikīrṣitam athātmanaḥ | te śrutvaiva vacas tasya paurajānapadā janāḥ ||
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: Pagkatapos, ang maharlikang rishi na si Yudhiṣṭhira ay buong linaw na ipinaalam sa mga nagtipong ministro, mamamayan ng lungsod, at sa buong bayan ang lahat ng nais niyang gawin. Pagkarinig pa lamang ng kanyang mga salita, ang mga taga-lungsod at mga taga-kanayunan ay nanginig sa loob at labis na nabagabag. Hindi nila tinanggap ang kanyang panukala; nagtipon sila at nagsalita sa hari sa iisang tinig: “Huwag po ninyong gawin ito—huwag ninyo kaming iwan at lumisan.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between a ruler’s personal resolve (often toward renunciation and final duty) and the people’s dependence on the king’s protective presence. It frames kingship as a moral bond: the king must act by dharma, yet the subjects’ welfare and emotional security are also part of that dharma.
Yudhiṣṭhira summons the key constituents of the kingdom (ministers, citizens, and provincial people) and openly states his intended course of action—his plan to depart. On hearing this, the populace becomes distressed and collectively urges him not to leave.