Shloka 8
Draupadī’s Exhortation on Rājadharma and Daṇḍa (द्रौपद्याः राजधर्मोपदेशः)
कथं द्वैतवने राजन् पूर्वमुक्त्वा तथा वच: । भ्रातृनेतान् सम सहितान् शीतवातातपार्दितान्
kathaṃ dvaitavane rājan pūrvam uktvā tathā vacaḥ | bhrātṝn etān samāṃ sahitān śītavātātapārditān |
Vaiśampāyana said: “O King, how is it that, after earlier speaking such words in the Dvaitavana—when these very brothers, united with you, were afflicted by cold, wind, and heat—you now speak in a way that breaks their resolve? In those days of hardship you yourself encouraged them with promises of defeating Duryodhana in battle, stripping enemy charioteers of their chariots, slaying mighty elephants, and filling the earth with chariots and horsemen; then, having won the whole land, you would enjoy its prosperity and, through abundant gifts and richly endowed sacrifices, remain devoted to the Lord—so that the pain of exile would be transformed into happiness. Why, having once strengthened their hearts with such hope and dharmic purpose, do you now undermine them?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Consistency in leadership and speech is a dharmic duty: one who has strengthened others with hope and righteous purpose should not later weaken them through discouraging words, especially when companions are already burdened by hardship.
Vaiśampāyana recalls how, in the Dvaita forest during exile, the king had earlier encouraged his brothers while they suffered the extremes of nature; he now questions why the same person is speaking in a way that breaks their hearts and resolve.