Shloka 24
Draupadī’s Grief at Seeing the Heroes in Disguise (द्रौपदी-विषादः / वेष-परिभव-वर्णनम्)
अन्धान वृद्धांस्तथानाथान् बालानू् राष्ट्रेषु दुर्गतान् । बिभर्ति विविधान् राजा धृतिमान् सत्यविक्रम: । संविभागमना नित्यमानृशंस्याद् युधिष्ठिर:
andhān vṛddhāṁs tathānāthān bālānū rāṣṭreṣu durgatān | bibharti vividhān rājā dhṛtimān satyavikramaḥ | saṁvibhāgamanā nityam ānṛśaṁsyād yudhiṣṭhiraḥ, dhairyavān tathā satyaparākramī |
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: The steadfast king, whose prowess was grounded in truth, continually maintained within his realm those in distress—the blind, the aged, the unprotected, and children. Ever intent on fair distribution, Yudhiṣṭhira, compassionate by nature, sustained many kinds of dependents through constant care and provision.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma is not merely power or conquest but compassionate stewardship: truthful strength expresses itself through steady support of the vulnerable and fair distribution of resources (saṁvibhāga), grounded in non-cruelty (ānṛśaṃsya) and fortitude (dhṛti).
Vaiśaṃpāyana describes Yudhiṣṭhira’s character as a ruler: he continually provides food and support to those in hardship within his realm—especially the blind, the elderly, the unprotected, and children—showing that his courage and prowess are inseparable from truth and compassion.