Shloka 81
Ajñātavāsa-saṅkalpaḥ — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Resolve and Dhaumya’s Exempla on Concealment
श्वः प्रभाते वने दृश्ये यास्थावो 5नुमते तव। वसावेह क्षपामेकां रुचितं यदि तेडनघ,परंतु मैं आपको रुग्ण देख रही हूँ। ऐसी दशामें यदि आपके मनमें चलनेका उत्साह न हो अथवा इस तिमिराच्छन्न वनमें यदि आपको रास्तेका ज्ञान न हो सके तो आपकी अनुमति होनेपर हम दोनों कल सबेरे, जब वनकी हर एक वस्तु स्पष्ट दीखने लगे, घर चलेंगे। अनघ! यदि आपकी रुचि हो तो एक रात हमलोग यहीं निवास करें
śvaḥ prabhāte vane dṛśye yāsthāvo 'numate tava | vasāveha kṣapām ekāṁ rucitaṁ yadi te 'nagha ||
Wika ni Yama: “Bukas sa bukang-liwayway, kapag malinaw na ang gubat, aalis tayo—kung papayag ka. O walang dungis, kung ibig mo, manatili tayo rito sa loob ng isang gabi.”
यम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent, dharma-aligned conduct: act with care when conditions are unsafe (darkness/uncertainty), seek consent rather than impose decisions, and choose a measured course (resting for the night) over rash movement.
Yama proposes delaying travel until dawn, when the forest path will be clear, and suggests staying one night where they are—explicitly making the plan contingent on the other person’s permission and preference.