Shloka 53
Adhyāya 128 — Proposal to Restrain Keśava; Sātyaki’s Warning and Vidura–Dhṛtarāṣṭra Counsel
राजपिण्डभयादेते यदि हास्यन्ति जीवितम् । नहि शक्ष्यन्ति राजानं युधिष्ठिरमुदीक्षितुम्
rājapiṇḍabhayād ete yadi hāsyanti jīvitam | nahi śakṣyanti rājānaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram udīkṣitum ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Out of fear of the king’s bounty they have eaten—bound by the obligation of the royal meal—these men may indeed cast away their lives fighting on your side; yet they will not be able to look upon King Yudhiṣṭhira with a hostile, crooked gaze.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the binding moral force of accepted patronage: those who have lived on a king’s bounty may feel compelled to fight and even die for their patron, yet true righteousness commands such respect that they cannot bring themselves to regard a dharmic king like Yudhiṣṭhira with hostile intent.
Vaiśampāyana comments on the mindset of certain warriors/retainers: although they may fight on one side due to the obligation of having eaten the ‘king’s food’ (royal support), their conscience and reverence prevent them from turning their gaze against Yudhiṣṭhira as an enemy in spirit.