Shloka 18
Draupadī’s Exhortation on Rājadharma and Daṇḍa (द्रौपद्याः राजधर्मोपदेशः)
न श्रुतेन न दानेन न सान्त्वेन न चेज्यया । त्वयेयं पृथिवी लब्धा न संकोचेन चाप्युत
na śrutena na dānena na sāntvena na cejyayā | tvayeyaṃ pṛthivī labdhā na saṃkocena cāpy uta ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Cette souveraineté sur la terre, tu ne l’as pas acquise en écoutant les enseignements sacrés, ni par des dons, ni par une persuasion conciliante, ni par l’accomplissement de sacrifices ; et, certes, elle n’a pas été obtenue par quelque abaissement ou humble supplication. Elle t’est venue par d’autres moyens — ce qui implique la puissance et la contrainte plutôt que les vertus qui, d’ordinaire, légitiment le règne.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts dharmic means of gaining authority—learning, generosity, conciliation, and sacrifice—with the implied reality that the realm was secured by non-dharmic means such as coercion or force. It questions the moral legitimacy of power when it is not grounded in virtue.
Vaiśampāyana, narrating the discourse in Śānti Parva, reports a pointed assessment addressed to a ruler: the earth/kingdom has not been obtained through recognized righteous practices (study, charity, diplomacy, ritual), nor through humble restraint—suggesting it was gained through harsher political action, setting up a reflection on rightful governance.