Shloka 4
धृतराष्ट्रस्य सत्कारः — Dhṛtarāṣṭra Honored in the Post-war Court
वैशम्पायन उवाच प्राप्प राज्यं महात्मान: पाण्डवा हतशत्रव: । धृतराष्ट्रं पुरस्कृत्य पृथिवीं पर्यपालयन्,वैशम्पायनजीने कहा--राजन्! जिनके शत्रु मारे गये थे, वे महात्मा पाण्डव राज्य पानेके अनन्तर राजा धृतराष्ट्रको ही आगे रखकर पृथ्वीका पालन करने लगे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | prāpya rājyaṃ mahātmānaḥ pāṇḍavā hataśatravaḥ | dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ puraskṛtya pṛthivīṃ paryapālayan |
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Ô roi ! Après avoir obtenu le royaume, les Pāṇḍava au grand cœur, leurs ennemis ayant été abattus, gouvernèrent la terre en plaçant le roi Dhṛtarāṣṭra au premier rang.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after rightful victory, dharma requires humility and respect for elders and established authority. The Pāṇḍavas model ethical kingship by restraining triumphalism and maintaining social-moral order through honoring Dhṛtarāṣṭra.
After the war and the acquisition of the kingdom, the Pāṇḍavas begin ruling the realm. They do so while keeping Dhṛtarāṣṭra publicly in a foremost position, indicating deference and a conciliatory approach in the immediate post-war polity.