Shloka 20
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
शीलवृत्तोपसम्पन्नो धर्मज्ञ: सत्यसंगर: । राजा सर्वगुणोपेतस्त्रैलेक्यस्यापि यो भवेत्
śīlavṛttopasampanno dharmajñaḥ satyasaṅgaraḥ | rājā sarvaguṇopetas trailokyasyāpi yo bhavet ||
বৈশম্পায়ন বললেন—যিনি শীল ও সদাচারে সম্পন্ন, ধর্মজ্ঞ এবং সত্যে অটল—সকল গুণে ভূষিত এমন রাজা কেবল এই পৃথিবীরই নয়, ত্রিলোকেরও শাসন করার যোগ্য হন।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines the ethical ideal of kingship: a ruler should be grounded in character and disciplined conduct, understand dharma, and remain unwavering in truth; such integrity is presented as the basis of legitimate sovereignty.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war context, the narration praises the qualities of an exemplary king, setting a moral benchmark for leadership and implicitly framing the worthiness of a righteous claimant to rule.