Shloka 27
Droṇa–Vidura–Gāndhārī Counsel in the Royal Assembly (धर्मार्थयुक्ता सभा-उपदेश-प्रकरणम्)
पीड्यन्ते ते प्रजा: सर्वा व्याधिभिर्भुशदारुणै: । अल्पावशिष्टा गाड़ेय ता: परित्रातुमहसि,गंगानन्दन! आपकी सारी प्रजा अत्यन्त भयंकर रोगोंसे पीड़ित है। प्रजाओंमेंसे बहुत थोड़े लोग जीवित बचे हैं। अतः आप उन सबकी रक्षा करें
pīḍyante te prajāḥ sarvā vyādhibhir bhūśadāruṇaiḥ | alpāvaśiṣṭā gāḍeya tāḥ paritrātum arhasi, gaṅgānandana |
قال فايُو: «إنّ رعيّتك كلّها تُبتلى بأمراضٍ فادحةٍ مُرعبة. ولم يبقَ حيًّا إلا القليل، يا غانغيّا، ابن الغانغا. فلذلك واجبُك أن تحميهم وتُنقذهم جميعًا.»
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores rājadharma: those with authority and moral stature must actively protect the people, especially in times of widespread suffering. Duty is framed not as optional charity but as an obligation (arhasi) grounded in compassion and responsibility.
Vāyudeva addresses Bhīṣma (the son of Gaṅgā), reporting that the populace is devastated by severe diseases and that only a small number survive. He urges Bhīṣma to intervene and provide protection and relief to the remaining subjects.