Shloka 39
Draupadī’s Exhortation on Rājadharma and Daṇḍa (द्रौपद्याः राजधर्मोपदेशः)
यजस्व विविधैर्यज्ञैर्युध्यस्वारीन् प्रयच्छ च । धनानि भोगान् वासांसि द्विजातिभ्यो नृपोत्तम
yajasva vividhair yajñair yudhyasvārīn prayaccha ca | dhanāni bhogān vāsāṁsi dvijātibhyo nṛpottama ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O best of kings, perform sacrifices of many kinds; fight your enemies; and also give—grant wealth, enjoyments and provisions, and garments to the twice-born (dvija). Thus should a ruler uphold his royal duty through worship, protection, and generous support of the learned.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse summarizes key elements of rājadharma: a ruler should uphold sacred order through yajña (public religious duty), protect the realm by confronting enemies, and sustain the learned and priestly class through generous giving of wealth, provisions, and clothing.
Vaiśampāyana, narrating the teaching tradition of the Śānti Parva, presents a directive addressed to a king: perform varied sacrifices, wage necessary war against enemies, and practice charity toward the dvijas—framing kingship as a balance of ritual responsibility, protection, and patronage.