Shloka 12
द्रोणेन दुर्योधनस्य कवचबन्धनम् — Drona’s Mantra-Bound Armor for Duryodhana
देहास्मभ्यं महाराज प्रभु: सन्नीप्सितान् वरान् । यैर्वयं शाश्वतीस्तृप्तीर्वर्तयिष्पामहे सुखम्,एक दिन सुखपूर्वक बैठे हुए राजा पृथुके पास वनस्पति, पर्वत, देवता, असुर, मनुष्य, सर्प, सप्तर्षि, पुण्यजन (यक्ष), गन्धर्व, अप्सरा तथा पितरोंने आकर इस प्रकार कहा --“महाराज! तुम हमारे सम्राट हो, क्षत्रिय हो तथा राजा, रक्षक और पिता हो। तुम हमें अभीष्ट वर दो, जिससे हमलोग अनन्त कालतक तृप्ति और सुखका अनुभव करें। तुम ऐसा करनेमें समर्थ हो”
dehāsmabhyaṁ mahārāja prabhuḥ sannīpsitān varān | yair vayaṁ śāśvatīs tṛptīr vartayiṣyāmahe sukham ||
Nārada said: “O great king, you are our lord. Grant us the boons we desire, by which we may enjoy enduring satisfaction and live in happiness.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames righteous kingship as beneficent authority: a ruler, addressed as ‘prabhu’, is expected to use power to grant what is conducive to lasting welfare (tṛpti, sukha) for those who depend on him, aligning sovereignty with responsibility.
Nārada reports a formal request made to a king: the speakers ask for desired boons that will secure their enduring satisfaction and happiness, invoking the king’s capacity and duty to provide protection and prosperity.