Shloka 20
द्रौपदी-स्वयंवर-प्रारम्भः
Commencement of Draupadī’s Svayaṃvara
तस्य भावं विदित्वा स नृपते: कुरुसत्तम । विश्वामित्रस्ततो रक्ष आदिदेश नृपं प्रति,कुरुश्रेष्ठ॒ राजाके मनोभावको समझकर उक्त विश्वामित्रजीने एक राक्षसको राजाके भीतर प्रवेश करनेके लिये आज्ञा दी
tasya bhāvaṁ viditvā sa nṛpateḥ kurusattama | viśvāmitras tato rakṣa ādideśa nṛpaṁ prati ||
Als er die innere Absicht des Königs erkannt hatte, o Bester der Kurus, befahl Viśvāmitra daraufhin einem Rākṣasa, zum König zu gehen und in ihn einzudringen.
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that inner intention (bhāva) matters: when a ruler’s mind is swayed by hidden motives, it becomes a point of vulnerability, inviting external tests and moral consequences. Ethical governance requires clarity of purpose and restraint, not merely outward authority.
After discerning the king’s mental disposition, Viśvāmitra issues an order for a rākṣasa to go toward the king and enter his presence—setting in motion a confrontation or test directed at the king’s conduct and intentions.