Shloka 4
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 146 — Brāhmaṇī’s counsel on grief, duty, and protection of children
तैर्वृतः पुरुषव्याप्रो धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिर: । विबभौ देवसंकाशो वज्रपाणिरिवामरै:,उनसे घिरे हुए पुरुषसिंह धर्मराज युधिष्ठिर, जो देवताओंके समान तेजस्वी थे, इस प्रकार शोभा पा रहे थे मानो देवमण्डलीके बीच साक्षात् वजपाणि इन्द्र हों
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
tair vṛtaḥ puruṣavyāghro dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ |
vibabhau devasaṅkāśo vajrapāṇir ivāmaraiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Von ihnen umringt, erstrahlte Yudhiṣṭhira—der Löwe unter den Menschen, der dem Dharma ergebene König—in einem Glanz wie der der Götter, als wäre er Indra selbst, der Träger des Donnerkeils, inmitten der versammelten Unsterblichen. Der Vers betont, dass gerechte Herrschaft einen moralischen Glanz gewinnt, wenn sie von würdigen Gefährten getragen und geehrt wird.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse conveys that dharmic rule is not merely a private virtue: when a righteous king is supported and honored by his companions, his moral authority becomes visibly manifest—described poetically as a god-like radiance. Ethical leadership is portrayed as something that naturally attracts respect and creates collective harmony.
Vaiśampāyana describes Yudhiṣṭhira being surrounded by others (his attendants/companions), and in that assembly he appears exceptionally splendid. The poet heightens the scene through a simile: Yudhiṣṭhira among his circle looks like Indra, thunderbolt in hand, among the gods.