Shloka 13
Vasiṣṭhasya śokaḥ, Vipāśā–Śatadrū-nāmākaraṇam, Kalmāṣapādasya bhaya-prasaṅgaḥ (Ādi Parva 167)
इत्युक्तो नाहमित्येवं तमृषि: प्रत्यभाषत । आराधयिष्यन् ट्रुपद: स तं पर्यचरत् पुन:,द्रपदके यों कहनेपर ऋषि उपयाजने उन्हें जवाब दे दिया, “मैं ऐसा कार्य नहीं करूँगा।” परंतु द्रुपद उन्हें प्रसन्न करनेका निश्चय करके पुनः उनकी सेवामें लगे रहे
ity ukto nāham ity evaṁ tam ṛṣiḥ pratyabhāṣata | ārādhayiṣyan drupadaḥ sa taṁ paryacarat punaḥ ||
So angesprochen, erwiderte der Weise schlicht: „Nicht ich — ich werde das nicht tun.“ Doch Drupada, entschlossen, seine Gunst zu gewinnen, kehrte wieder zurück und diente ihm aufs Neue.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts principled refusal with persistent, respectful effort: the sage declines an action he deems improper, while Drupada seeks to regain favor through service rather than force—suggesting that ends should be pursued through dharmic means.
After being requested, the sage responds, “I will not do that.” Drupada, determined to please him, resumes attending on the sage, continuing his service in hopes of obtaining consent or goodwill.