Shloka 24
शल्यस्य सेनापत्याभ्युपगमः | Śalya’s Acceptance of Command
युधिष्ठिरं कथं पश्चादनुयास्यामि दासवत् । “समस्त राजाओंके ऊपर सूर्यके समान प्रकाशित होकर अब दासकी भाँति युधिष्ठिरके पीछे-पीछे कैसे चलूँगा? ।। कथं भुक््त्वा स्वयं भोगान् दत्त्वा दायांश्व॒ पुष्कलान्
yudhiṣṭhiraṃ kathaṃ paścād anuyāsyāmi dāsavat | samasta-rājānām upari sūrya iva prakāśitvā idānīṃ dāsavat yudhiṣṭhirasya pṛṣṭhataḥ pṛṣṭhataḥ kathaṃ caliṣyāmi || kathaṃ bhuktvā svayaṃ bhogān dattvā dāyāṃś ca puṣkalān |
Sañjaya dit : «Comment pourrais-je suivre Yudhiṣṭhira comme un serviteur? Moi qui resplendissais tel le soleil au-dessus de tous les rois, comment marcherais-je désormais derrière Yudhiṣṭhira comme si j’étais un esclave? Et comment celui qui a lui-même goûté aux plaisirs et distribué à autrui des parts abondantes pourrait-il accepter un tel renversement?»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between former status and present duty: one who once stood ‘like the sun over kings’ struggles to accept humility and subordination. It points to the need to restrain pride and accept rightful order when fortune and power change.
Sañjaya voices a protest born of humiliation and shock at changed circumstances: after having enjoyed royal eminence and distributed generous portions, he cannot imagine walking behind Yudhiṣṭhira like a servant. The speech reflects the psychological and political upheaval surrounding the war’s outcomes.