Shloka 26
द्रौपदी-शैब्यसंवादः — Draupadī’s Identification and Counsel on Hospitality
ज्ञातीश्वाप्पनुपश्येथा विष्णुरदेवगणान् यथा । गुरव: पालनीयास्ते गच्छ पालय मेदिनीम्
jñātīśv āppanupaśyethā viṣṇur adevagaṇān yathā | guravaḥ pālanīyās te gaccha pālaya medinīm ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Look upon your kinsmen as Viṣṇu regards the hosts of gods—protectively and without hostility. Those elders and teachers are to be safeguarded by you. Go, and govern the earth.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches rājadharma: a ruler should regard relatives with a protective, preserving attitude (likened to Viṣṇu’s sustaining relation to the gods) and must especially safeguard and honor elders and teachers; rightful governance is framed as protection rather than domination.
Vaiśampāyana narrates an instruction or exhortation directed to a would-be ruler: he is urged to treat his kin without enmity, to protect venerable elders/teachers, and to proceed to rule the realm—presenting governance as a moral duty grounded in care and restraint.