Shloka 26
Droṇa–Vidura–Gāndhārī Counsel in the Royal Assembly (धर्मार्थयुक्ता सभा-उपदेश-प्रकरणम्)
प्रजा ऊचु: उपक्षीणा: प्रजा: सर्वा राजा भव भवाय नः । ईती: प्रणुद भद्रं ते शान्तनो: कुलवर्धन,प्रजा बोली--शान्तनुके कुलकी वृद्धि करनेवाले महाराज! आपका कल्याण हो। राज्यकी सारी प्रजा क्षीण होती चली जा रही है। आप हमारे अभ्युदयके लिये राजा होना स्वीकार करें और अनावृष्टि आदि ईतियोंका भय दूर कर दें
prajā ūcuḥ—upakṣīṇāḥ prajāḥ sarvā rājā bhava bhavāya naḥ | ītīḥ praṇuda bhadraṃ te śāntanoḥ kulavardhana ||
قال الناس: «إنّ الرعيّة كلّها تذوي وتفنى. فكن ملكَنا لخيرنا وصلاحنا. وادفع النوازل والكوارث—فليكن لك الخير، يا مُنمّي سلالة شانتانو.»
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma: a king’s legitimacy is tied to protecting and sustaining the people. When society is afflicted by calamities, the ruler is urged to accept responsibility and actively remove causes of suffering, making public welfare the ethical purpose of sovereignty.
The subjects, weakened by widespread distress, appeal to a royal figure addressed as the enhancer of Śāntanu’s lineage. They implore him to accept kingship for their prosperity and to ward off ‘ītis’—public calamities such as drought and related afflictions.