Mahabharata — Sabha Parva, Shloka 36
Adhyāya 45 — Duryodhana’s Distress, Śakuni’s Counsel, and the Summons for Dyūta
चेदीनामाधिपत्ये च पुत्रमस्य महीपते: । अभ्यषिज्चत् तदा पार्थ: सह तैर्वसुधाधिपै:
cedīnām ādhipatye ca putram asya mahīpateḥ | abhyaṣiñcat tadā pārthaḥ saha tair vasudhādhipaiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Alors Pārtha (Yudhiṣṭhira), avec les souverains de la terre rassemblés, consacra le fils de ce roi (Śiśupāla) à la souveraineté du pays de Cedi. Par cet acte, l’ordre politique fut rétabli après la chute d’un monarque, et fut affirmé le devoir dharmique d’installer un héritier légitime plutôt que de laisser un royaume sans chef.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after a hostile king is removed, dharma requires safeguarding the people by ensuring legitimate succession. Installing the fallen king’s son prevents chaos, curbs vengeance, and upholds rājadharma—rule oriented to stability and welfare rather than personal triumph.
After Śiśupāla’s death, Yudhiṣṭhira (called Pārtha) formally consecrates Śiśupāla’s son as ruler of Cedi, doing so with the consent and presence of other kings, thereby publicly legitimizing the new reign.