Shloka 17
Vāraṇāvata-prasaṃsā and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure (वरणावत-प्रशंसा तथा पाण्डव-प्रयाणम्)
क्रीडन्तो वीटया तत्र वीरा: पर्यचरन् मुदा । पपात कूपे सा वीटा तेषां वै क्रीडतां तदा
Vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca |
krīḍanto vīṭayā tatra vīrāḥ paryacaran mudā |
papāta kūpe sā vīṭā teṣāṃ vai krīdatāṃ tadā ||
Tại đó, các thiếu niên anh hùng vui vẻ đi lại, chơi với cây vīṭā (gậy/đòn dùng trong trò chơi). Khi họ đang mải mê, cây vīṭā ấy rơi xuống một cái giếng.
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Small, seemingly harmless actions can become turning points with large consequences. The verse highlights how ordinary play, when combined with circumstance, can precipitate events that reveal hidden realities and shape destiny—encouraging attentiveness and responsibility even in leisure.
The young princes are playing a stick-game with a vīṭā. During the game, the vīṭā accidentally falls into a well. This mishap sets up the next narrative developments, as retrieving it leads to further encounters and revelations.