Shloka 23
धृतराष्ट्र-सत्कारः तथा श्राद्ध-दाने नियमनम् | Honoring Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Regulating Śrāddha-Gifts
नतां प्रीतिं परामाप पुत्रेभ्य: स कुरूद्गधहः,विपरीतकश्न मे शत्रुर्नियम्यश्न भवेन्नर: । राजा युधिष्ठिर बड़े दयालु थे। वे सदा प्रसन्न रहकर अपने भाइयों और मन्त्रियोंसे कहा करते थे कि “ये राजा धृतराष्ट्र मेरे और आपलोगोंके माननीय हैं। जो इनकी आज्ञाके अधीन रहता है, वही मेरा सुहृद् है। विपरीत आचरण करनेवाला मेरा शत्रु है। वह मेरे दण्डका भागी होगा
natāṁ prītiṁ parām āpa putrebhyaḥ sa kurūdgadhaḥ | viparītakaś ca me śatrur niyamyaś ca bhaven naraḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: That Kurū leader won the highest affection from his sons. He would, remaining ever composed, tell his brothers and ministers: “King Dhṛtarāṣṭra is worthy of honor for me and for all of you. Whoever lives in obedience to his command is my well-wisher; whoever acts contrary is my enemy, and he will fall under my discipline and punishment.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma: a righteous ruler honors elders and legitimate authority, defines friendship as loyal adherence to rightful command, and treats deliberate disobedience as a punishable breach of order.
Vaiśampāyana describes Yudhiṣṭhira’s conduct after the war: he maintains reverence toward Dhṛtarāṣṭra and instructs his circle that those who follow Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s directives are allies, while those who oppose them will be restrained and punished.