Shloka 31
द्रौपदी-शैब्यसंवादः — Draupadī’s Identification and Counsel on Hospitality
विदीर्येत् सकला भूमिद्यौश्वापि शकलीभवेत् | रविरात्मप्रभां जह्मात् सोम: शीतांशुतां त्यजेत्
vidīryet sakalā bhūmir dyauś cāpi śakalībhavet | ravir ātmaprabhāṃ jahyāt somaḥ śītāṃśutāṃ tyajet |
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “Even if the entire earth were to split apart, even if the sky were shattered into fragments; even if the sun were to abandon its own radiance and the moon were to give up its cool beams—still he would not accept ruling the earth without you. ‘O King, be pleased—be pleased!’” This final appeal Duḥśāsana repeated again and again.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage illustrates how intense loyalty and political persuasion can be framed through cosmic hyperbole—invoking the collapse of natural order to emphasize an unyielding stance. Ethically, it invites reflection on whether steadfastness is aligned with dharma or merely stubborn attachment serving questionable ends.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates a dramatic appeal in which a speaker (as reported) declares that even if cosmic laws fail—earth splitting, sky fragmenting, sun and moon losing their qualities—he will not rule without the addressed king. Duḥśāsana repeatedly urges, “O King, be pleased,” reinforcing the plea through repetition.