Shloka 4
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 193 — Hastināpura Mantra: Duryodhana’s Proposals to Divide the Pāṇḍavas
श्रुत्वा तु वाक्यानि पुरोहितस्य यान्युक्तवान् भारत धर्मराज: । जिज्ञासयैवाथ कुरूत्तमानां द्रव्याण्यनेकान्युपसंजहार,भारत! उस समय धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरने जो बातें कही थीं, उन्हें पुरोहितके मुखसे सुनकर उन कुरुश्रेष्ठ वीरोंके शीलस्वभावकी परीक्षाके लिये राजा द्रुपदने अनेक प्रकारकी वस्तुओंका संग्रह किया
śrutvā tu vākyāni purohitasya yāny uktavān bhārata dharmarājaḥ | jijñāsayaivātha kurūttamānāṁ dravyāṇy anekāny upasañjahāra ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Hearing from the family priest the words that Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira had spoken, King Drupada—wishing to test the character and conduct of those foremost among the Kurus—had many kinds of valuables gathered together.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic principle of discernment: before granting honor, alliance, or trust, a king should ascertain the true character (śīla) of those involved, using careful inquiry rather than impulse.
After hearing Yudhiṣṭhira’s words through the priest, Drupada prepares to examine the Kurus’ qualities by arranging many valuables—suggesting a practical test or setting meant to reveal their conduct and temperament.