Shloka 9
Gaṅgādvāra-tīrtha, Ulūpī-saṃvāda, and Arjuna’s Dharma-Deliberation (गङ्गाद्वार-तीर्थम्, उलूपी-संवादः)
न तद् ध्यायति कौन्तेय: पाण्डुपुत्रो युधिष्ठिर: । यथैषां पुरुषव्याप्र: श्रेयो ध्यायति केशव:,पुरुषोत्तम केशव जिस प्रकार इन पाण्डवोंके श्रेय (अत्यन्त हित)-का ध्यान रखते हैं, उतना ध्यान कुन्तीनन्दन पाण्डुपुत्र युधिष्ठिर भी नहीं रखते
na tad dhyāyati kaunteyaḥ pāṇḍuputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | yathaiṣāṃ puruṣavyāpraḥ śreyo dhyāyati keśavaḥ ||
Drupada said: “Kunti’s son, Yudhiṣṭhira—the son of Pāṇḍu—does not reflect upon their welfare to that extent. For Keśava, the supreme man, with tireless manly energy, contemplates what is truly best for these Pāṇḍavas far more.”
द्ुपद उवाच
Educational Q&A
True leadership is measured by active concern for others’ highest good (śreyas). Drupada contrasts Yudhiṣṭhira’s concern with Keśava’s more vigilant, energetic guardianship, implying that wise counsel and selfless protection are essential to dharmic governance.
Drupada is speaking about the Pāṇḍavas’ welfare and praises Keśava (Kṛṣṇa) as the one who most intensely and effectively thinks and acts for their benefit, even more than Yudhiṣṭhira himself.