Shloka 53
चित्रसेन-समागमः / The Engagement with Citrasena and the Gandharvas
सर्व राज्ञ: समुदयमायं च व्ययमेव च । एकाहं वेझि कल्याणि पाण्डवानां यशस्विनि,“कल्याणी एवं यशस्विनी सत्यभामे! महाराज तथा अन्य पाण्डवोंको जो कुछ आय, व्यय और बचत होती थी, उस सबका हिसाब मैं अकेली ही रखती और जानती थी
sarva-rājñāḥ samudayam āyaṃ ca vyayam eva ca | ekāhaṃ vedi kalyāṇi pāṇḍavānāṃ yaśasvini ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O auspicious lady, O renowned one, I alone know in full the entire financial state of the Pāṇḍavas—their total receipts and income, and likewise their expenditures.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights accountability in managing resources: knowing income and expenditure is part of righteous governance (dharma) and prudent pursuit of artha, preventing waste and ensuring fair, orderly administration.
The speaker (as framed by Vaiśaṃpāyana) reports a woman’s claim of intimate knowledge of the Pāṇḍavas’ finances—total receipts, income, and expenses—emphasizing her role as a careful keeper of accounts.