Shloka 20
Jarāsandha as Obstacle to the Rājasūya — Kṛṣṇa’s Strategic Genealogical Brief
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 13
ते पृच्छमाना: सहिता वचो3र्थ्य मन्त्रिणस्तदा | युधिष्ठिरं महाप्राज्ञ यियक्षुमिदमब्रुवन्,इस प्रकार पूछे जानेपर उन सब मन्त्रियोंने एक साथ यज्ञकी इच्छावाले परम बुद्धिमान् युधिष्ठिस्से उस समय यह अर्थयुक्त बात कही--
te pṛcchamānāḥ sahitā vaco'rthya mantriṇas tadā | yudhiṣṭhiraṃ mahāprājña yiyakṣum idam abruvan ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: When they were thus questioned, all those ministers, gathered together, then addressed Yudhiṣṭhira—of great wisdom and intent on performing a sacrifice—with these meaningful words.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wise rulership is shown as consultative: when a king seeks to act—especially in weighty matters like a sacrifice—ministers respond collectively with considered, meaningful counsel, implying that dharmic action is strengthened by deliberation and shared responsibility.
After being questioned, the assembled ministers speak to Yudhiṣṭhira, who is portrayed as highly intelligent and intent on conducting a yajña; this verse functions as a narrative transition introducing their advice.