Shloka 1
Jarāsandha as Obstacle to the Rājasūya — Kṛṣṇa’s Strategic Genealogical Brief
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 13
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके ३ ३ “लोक मिलाकर कुल ३७३ श्लोक हैं) भस्न्यैमा+ज (2) अिमन- (राजसूयारम्भपर्व) त्रयोदशो 5 ध्याय: युधिष्ठिरका राजसूयविषयक संकल्प और उसके विषयमें भाइयों, मन्त्रियो, मुनियों तथा श्रीकृष्णसे सलाह लेना वैशम्पायन उवाच ऋषेस्तद् वचन श्रुत्वा निशश्वास युधिष्ठिर: । चिन्तयन् राजसूयेष्टिं न लेभे शर्म भारत,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! देवर्षि नारदका वह वचन सुनकर युधिष्िरने लंबी साँस खींची। राजसूययज्ञके सम्बन्धमें चिन्तन करते हुए उन्हें शान्ति नहीं मिली
vaiśampāyana uvāca | ṛṣes tad vacanaṃ śrutvā niśaśvāsa yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | cintayan rājasūyeṣṭiṃ na lebhe śarma bhārata ||
Vaiśampāyana said: O Bhārata (Janamejaya), having heard those words of the sage, Yudhiṣṭhira heaved a deep sigh. As he pondered the royal consecration-sacrifice (Rājasūya), he could find no peace of mind.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a dharmic king experiences moral unease when contemplating acts of sovereignty that may carry hidden violence, rivalry, or pride; righteous action requires reflection and counsel, not mere desire for greatness.
After hearing the sage’s words (in context, Nārada’s), Yudhiṣṭhira sighs and becomes mentally unsettled while considering the Rājasūya sacrifice, setting up the ensuing consultations with brothers, ministers, sages, and Kṛṣṇa about whether and how to proceed.