Shloka 29
धृतराष्ट्र-सत्कारः तथा श्राद्ध-दाने नियमनम् | Honoring Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Regulating Śrāddha-Gifts
शौचेन चाजातशत्रोर्न तु भीमस्य शरत्रुहन् । शत्रुसूदन जनमेजय! राजा धृतराष्ट्र गान्धारी और विदुरजी अजातशत्रु युधिष्ठिरके धैर्य और शुद्ध व्यवहारसे विशेष प्रसन्न थे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | śaucena cājātaśatror na tu bhīmasya śatruhan | śatrusūdana janamejaya rājā dhṛtarāṣṭro gāndhārī ca viduraś ca ajātaśatroḥ dhairyeṇa śuddhācāreṇa ca viśeṣataḥ prītā āsan, bhīmasenasya tu vyavahāreṇa teṣāṃ santoṣo nābhavat || bhīmo 'pi niścitaḥ dharmajaṃ nṛpam anuvartata; viparītācaraṇaḥ me śatrur, niyamyaś ca bhaven naraḥ |
Vaiśampāyana said: O Janamejaya, King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Gāndhārī, and Vidura were especially pleased with Ajātaśatru (Yudhiṣṭhira) because of his steadfastness, purity, and disciplined conduct; but they were not satisfied with Bhīmasena’s manner. Even so, Bhīma, having resolved, followed King Dharmarāja (Yudhiṣṭhira). Yudhiṣṭhira—ever compassionate and serene—would tell his brothers and ministers: “King Dhṛtarāṣṭra is worthy of honor for me and for you all. Whoever remains under his command is my well-wisher; whoever acts contrary is my enemy and will incur my punishment.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ethical authority in kingship rests on purity, restraint, and respectful obedience to rightful elders; loyalty is defined by compliance with just command, while deliberate contrariness becomes enmity and invites discipline (daṇḍa).
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Gāndhārī, and Vidura appreciate Yudhiṣṭhira’s steady, pure conduct but are displeased with Bhīma’s manner; nevertheless Bhīma resolves to follow Yudhiṣṭhira, who instructs his circle to honor Dhṛtarāṣṭra and treat obedience to him as a mark of friendship.