Shloka 26
Draupadī’s Grief at Seeing the Heroes in Disguise (द्रौपदी-विषादः / वेष-परिभव-वर्णनम्)
इन्द्रप्रस्थे निवसत: समये यस्य पार्थिवा: । आसन् बलिभूृत: सर्वे सोउ्द्यान्यैर्भूतिमिच्छति
indraprasthe nivasataḥ samaye yasya pārthivāḥ | āsan balibhṛtaḥ sarve so 'dya anyair bhūtim icchati ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “In the days when he lived at Indraprastha, all kings used to bring him tribute. That very man now, reduced by circumstance, seeks sustenance and support from others.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Worldly power and prosperity are unstable; one who once received tribute may later depend on others. The verse underscores humility and endurance in adversity, reminding that status is not a permanent measure of worth.
The narrator highlights a stark contrast: the same person who formerly lived in royal splendor at Indraprastha—receiving tribute from many kings—has now come to a condition where he seeks support from others for basic maintenance.