Shloka 54
Adhyāya 31: Rājasūya-samāgama — The Gathering of Kings and the Ordering of Hospitality
सहदेवं नृणां देवं सान्त्वपूर्वमिदं वच: । उत्तिष्ीत्तिष्ठ कौरव्य जिज्ञासेयं कृता मया । वेझि सर्वमभिप्रायं तव धर्मसुतस्य च,जैसे महासागर अपनी तटभूमिका उल्लंघन नहीं करता, उसी प्रकार अग्निदेव सहदेवको लाँधकर उनकी सेनामें नहीं गये। वे कुरुकूलको आनन्दित करनेवाले नरदेव सहदेवके पास धीरे-धीरे आकर उन्हें सान्त्वना देते हुए यह वचन बोले--“कौरव्य! उठो, उठो, मैंने यह तुम्हारी परीक्षा की है। तुम्हारे और धर्मपुत्र युधिष्ठिरके सम्पूर्ण अभिप्रायको मैं जानता हूँ
sahadevaṁ nṛṇāṁ devaṁ sāntvapūrvam idaṁ vacaḥ | uttiṣṭhottiṣṭha kauravya jijñāseyaṁ kṛtā mayā | vetsi sarvam abhiprāyaṁ tava dharmasutasya ca ||
Addressing Sahadeva—esteemed among men—the speaker spoke these consoling words: “Rise, rise, O Kauravya. I have conducted this test. I know fully the intention in your heart, and that of Dharmasuta (Yudhiṣṭhira) as well.” The moment underscores that true discernment recognizes inner motive, and that a trial may be used not to humiliate but to reveal steadfastness in dharma.
सहदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that ethical judgment depends on understanding intention (abhiprāya). A ‘test’ (jijñāsā) can be a legitimate means to reveal steadfastness in dharma, and correction should be delivered with sāntva—reassurance rather than harshness.
Someone addresses Sahadeva respectfully and urges him to rise, explaining that the situation was a deliberate examination. The speaker claims insight into both Sahadeva’s and Yudhiṣṭhira’s inner purposes, framing the episode as a discerning, consoling intervention rather than a hostile act.