Shloka 22
वसुदेव–अर्जुन संवादः
Vasudeva–Arjuna Dialogue in the Aftermath of Dvārakā
अनुजम्मुश्न त॑ वीरं देव्यस्ता वै स्वलंकृता: । स्त्रीसहस्रै: परिवृता वधूभिश्न सहस्रश:
anujam muṣṇata vīraṃ devyās tā vai suvalaṅkṛtāḥ | strīsahasraiḥ parivṛtā vadhūbhiś ca sahasraśaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Noon, ang mga babaeng maringal ang bihis at alahas ay inagaw ang nakababatang kapatid ng bayani, pinalilibutan siya ng libu-libong babae at ng libu-libong mga babaing ikakasal. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito ang pagbagsak ng pagpipigil at kaayusan matapos ang kapahamakan ng mga Yādava, kung saan ang pagnanasa at pagsasamantala ang pumalit sa dharmikong pag-iingat sa tao at kamag-anak.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, when protective dharma collapses, society can descend into exploitation: even kin (the ‘younger brother’) become targets, and crowds embolden wrongdoing. It serves as a warning about the ethical vacuum that follows collective ruin.
In the turbulent aftermath described in the Mausala Parva, richly adorned women, in vast numbers, surround and carry off the hero’s younger brother—an image of chaotic abduction and the breakdown of normal safeguards and propriety.