Shloka 26
Draupadī’s Exhortation on Rājadharma and Daṇḍa (द्रौपद्याः राजधर्मोपदेशः)
एतान्यप्रतिमेयानि कृत्वा कर्माणि भारत । न प्रीयसे महाराज पूज्यमानो द्विजातिभि:,भरतनन्दन! महाराज! आप ऐसे-ऐसे अनुपम पराक्रम करके द्विजातियोंद्वारा सम्मानित होकर भी प्रसन्न नहीं हो रहे हैं?
etāny apratimeyāni kṛtvā karmāṇi bhārata | na prīyase mahārāja pūjyamāno dvijātibhiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Bhārata, O great king—though you have accomplished deeds of incomparable measure, and though you are honored by the twice-born, you still do not feel content. Why does satisfaction not arise in you even after such unmatched achievements and public reverence?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
External achievements and social honor—even when extraordinary—do not guarantee inner peace; true fulfillment depends on inner alignment with dharma and the settling of grief, guilt, or unresolved moral conflict.
Vaiśampāyana addresses a great Kuru king (Bhārata), noting that despite performing incomparable deeds and receiving reverence from the twice-born, the king remains dissatisfied—prompting reflection on the causes of his inner unrest.