Shloka 14
Bhīmasya paruṣa-vākyaṃ
Bhīma’s Harsh Speech Heard by Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Gāndhārī
राजेन्द्र! तुम्हारे पिता राजा पाण्डुने भी धृतराष्ट्रको गुरुके समान मानकर शिष्यभावसे इनकी सेवा की थी ।। क्रतुभिर्दक्षिणावद्धी रत्नपर्वतशोभितै: । महद्विरिष्ट गौर्भुक्ता प्रजाश्न परिपालिता:
rājendra! tava pitā rājā pāṇḍur api dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ guru-samam manyamānaḥ śiṣya-bhāvena tasya sevāṃ cakāra. kratubhir dakṣiṇāvaddhī ratna-parvata-śobhitaiḥ, mahad-viṣṭiḥ go-bhuktaḥ, prajāś ca paripālitāḥ.
Vaiśampāyana said: “O best of kings, your father King Pāṇḍu too regarded Dhṛtarāṣṭra as one would a teacher, and served him with the humility of a disciple. Through great sacrifices rich in priestly gifts (dakṣiṇā) and adorned with splendid ‘mountains’ of jewels, he attained vast prosperity; his wealth was sustained by cattle, and the people under him were duly protected.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Royal dharma includes humility and service: even a powerful king like Pāṇḍu models ethical conduct by honoring Dhṛtarāṣṭra as a guru and serving him with a disciple’s attitude, while also using prosperity (from sacrifice, gifts, cattle-wealth) for the protection of subjects.
Vaiśampāyana reminds the addressed king that Pāṇḍu treated Dhṛtarāṣṭra with reverence and service. The verse also summarizes Pāṇḍu’s flourishing rule—marked by well-endowed sacrifices, abundant wealth, and careful protection of the people.