Shloka 21
Nahūṣa-Ājagara Saṃvāda: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Definition of Brāhmaṇa and the ‘Vedyam’ Debate
वृतश्न सर्वरनुजेैर्दिजैश्न तेनैव मार्गेण पति: कुरूणाम् उवाह चैतान् गणशस्तथैव घटोत्कच: पर्वतनिर्झरिषु,तत्पश्चात् समस्त भाइयों और ब्रह्माणोंसे घिरे हुए कुरुगाज युधिष्ठिर उसी मार्गसे नीचे उतरने लगे जहाँ दुर्गम पर्वत और झरने पड़ते थे, वहाँ घटोत्कव अपने गणोंसहित आकर पहलेकी तरह इन सबको पीठपर बिठा वहाँसे पार कर देता था
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: vṛtaś ca sarvair anujair dvijaiś ca tenaiva mārgeṇa patiḥ kurūṇām uvāha caitān gaṇaśas tathaiva ghaṭotkacaḥ parvata-nirjhariṣu.
Vaiśampāyana nói: Được vây quanh bởi các em trai và các bà-la-môn, Yudhiṣṭhira—chúa tể dòng Kuru—bắt đầu xuống núi theo chính con đường ấy, nơi lối đi gập ghềnh và bị chia cắt bởi suối khe, thác đổ. Tại đó, Ghaṭotkaca đến cùng đoàn tùy tùng và, như trước, cõng họ theo từng nhóm vượt qua những đoạn hiểm trở.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic leadership and mutual obligation: the king remains responsible for the safety of his companions (including brāhmaṇas), while a powerful ally (Ghaṭotkaca) expresses loyalty through practical protection and service. Strength is shown as ethical support for the vulnerable during hardship.
Yudhiṣṭhira, accompanied by his brothers and brāhmaṇas, descends a difficult mountain route with streams and ravines. Ghaṭotkaca arrives with his troop and transports them in groups across the dangerous terrain, repeating his earlier assistance.