Shloka 11
Hiḍimbā’s Account and the Bhīma–Hiḍimba Engagement (आदि पर्व, अध्याय १४२)
ते पुरा सत्कृतास्तात पाण्डुना नागरा जना: । कथं युधिष्ठिरस्यार्थे न नो हन्यु: सबान्धवान्,तात! पाण्डुने पहले नागरिकोंके साथ बड़ा ही सद्धावपूर्ण व्यवहार किया है। अब वे विद्रोही होकर युधिष्ठिरके हितके लिये भाई-बन्धुओंके साथ हम सब लोगोंकी हत्या क्यों न कर डालेंगे?
te purā satkṛtās tāta pāṇḍunā nāgarā janāḥ | kathaṃ yudhiṣṭhirasyārthe na no hanyuḥ sabāndhavān, tāta ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Dear one, in former times King Pāṇḍu treated the citizens with great honor and goodwill. If they now turn hostile, why would they not, for Yudhiṣṭhira’s sake, kill even us along with our kinsmen?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and political power of a king’s prior goodwill: respectful governance creates enduring loyalty, so strong that supporters may risk or commit violence for the rightful heir. It also warns that public allegiance can become a dangerous force when fear and factionalism rise.
Vaiśampāyana describes a tense situation where the citizens—once treated kindly by King Pāṇḍu—are expected to side with Yudhiṣṭhira. The speaker fears that if the citizens become rebellious or militant in Yudhiṣṭhira’s interest, they may even kill opponents along with their relatives.