Shloka 32
द्रौपदी-शैब्यसंवादः — Draupadī’s Identification and Counsel on Hospitality
वायु: शैघ्रयमथो जह्माद्धिमवांश्व॒ परिव्रजेत् । शुष्येत् तोयं समुद्रेषु वह्लिरप्युष्णतां त्यजेत्
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
vāyuḥ śaighryam atho jahyād himavāṁś ca parivrajet |
śuṣyet toyaṁ samudreṣu vahnir apy uṣṇatāṁ tyajet |
Vaiśampāyana said: “Even if the wind were to abandon its swiftness, even if the Himālaya were to leave its place and wander about, even if the waters in the oceans were to dry up, and even if fire itself were to give up its heat—still, without you I will not rule this earth.” He pressed the king with such extravagant vows, repeating the final appeal again and again.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how intense loyalty and political desire can be expressed through hyperbolic oaths—invoking the collapse of natural order—to pressure a decision. Ethically, it invites reflection on the difference between persuasive emotion and dharmic reasoning in matters of kingship.
Vaiśampāyana reports a speech in which a speaker insists that even if nature’s fixed properties fail (wind, mountain, ocean, fire), he will not accept ruling without the addressed king. The repeated plea aims to soften the king’s resistance and secure his agreement.