Shloka 73
Jayadratha Approaches Draupadī in the Forest
Hospitality, Persuasion, and Reproach
भवतस्ते सहाया वै प्रेष्यतां पूर्वमागता: । पाण्डव शौर्यसम्पन्न, बलवान् तथा युद्धमें पीठ न दिखानेवाले हैं। वे आपके दास तो बहुत पहले ही हो चुके हैं, अतः उन्हें आपका सहायक होना ही चाहिये
bhavatas te sahāyā vai preṣyatāṃ pūrvam āgatāḥ | pāṇḍavāḥ śaurya-sampannā balavāṃs tathā yuddhe pīṭhaṃ na darśayanti | te bhavataḥ dāsāḥ tu bahu-pūrvam eva bhūtāḥ, ataḥ teṣāṃ bhavataḥ sahāyatvam eva kartavyam |
আপনার যে সহায়কেরা আগে এসে পৌঁছেছে, তাদেরই আগে পাঠানো হোক। পাণ্ডবেরা বীর্যসম্পন্ন ও বলবান, আর যুদ্ধে তারা কখনও পিঠ দেখায় না। তারা বহুদিন আগেই যেন আপনার সেবায় আবদ্ধ হয়েছে; অতএব আপনার সহায় হয়ে দাঁড়ানোই তাদের পক্ষে যথাযথ।
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds pragmatic dharma in kingship: recognize proven valor and steadfastness in battle, and assign roles accordingly. It also frames support and service as obligations arising from prior bonds—loyalty is treated as a duty that should translate into concrete assistance.
Karna is giving counsel about mobilizing support: he urges that the allies who have already arrived be sent first, and he emphasizes the Pāṇḍavas’ strength and refusal to flee. He argues that, given their long-standing obligation of service, they should function as dependable supporters in the coming conflict.