Shloka 10
Hiḍimbā’s Account and the Bhīma–Hiḍimba Engagement (आदि पर्व, अध्याय १४२)
भृता हि पाण्डुनामात्या बल॑ च सततं भृतम् । भृताः पुत्राश्न पौत्राश्ष॒ तेषामपि विशेषत:,पाण्डुने सभी मन्त्रियों तथा सैनिकोंका सदा पालन-पोषण किया था। उनका ही नहीं, उनके पुत्र-पौत्रोंक भी भरण-पोषणका विशेष ध्यान रखा था
vaiśampāyana uvāca | bhṛtā hi pāṇḍunāmātyā balaṃ ca satataṃ bhṛtam | bhṛtāḥ putrāś ca pautrāś ca teṣām api viśeṣataḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Indeed, Pāṇḍu continually maintained his ministers and his army. Not only them—he also supported their sons and grandsons, showing special care even for their families.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma: a king’s ethical obligation is not merely to command service but to sustain those who serve him—ministers and soldiers—and to extend protection and livelihood to their families, ensuring social stability and gratitude-based loyalty.
Vaiśampāyana describes Pāṇḍu’s conduct as a ruler, emphasizing that he regularly provided for his administrative and military personnel and took special care to support even their sons and grandsons, portraying him as conscientious and generous in governance.