Shloka 14
तांस्तथावादिन: पौरान् दुःखितान् दुःखकर्शित: । उवाच मनसा ध्यात्वा धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिर:,शोकसे दुर्बल धर्मराज युधिष्ठिर अपने लिये दुःखी उन पुरवासियोंको ऐसी बातें करते देख मन-ही-मन कुछ सोचकर उनसे बोले--
tāṁs tathāvādinaḥ paurān duḥkhitān duḥkhakarśitaḥ | uvāca manasā dhyātvā dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Seeing the townspeople speaking in that manner—grief-stricken and worn down by sorrow—Dharma-king Yudhiṣṭhira, after reflecting within his mind, addressed them.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A dharmic leader should first reflect inwardly and then respond to collective suffering with measured, principled speech—showing responsibility toward the people rather than reacting hastily.
The narrator states that Yudhiṣṭhira observes the citizens lamenting and speaking sorrowfully; after thinking to himself, he begins to address them.