Shloka 20
Draupadī’s Exhortation on Rājadharma and Daṇḍa (द्रौपद्याः राजधर्मोपदेशः)
रक्षितं द्रोणकर्णाभ्याम श्वत्थाम्ना कृपेण च | तत् त्वया निहत॑ वीर तस्माद् भुड्क्ष्य वसुन्धराम्
rakṣitaṃ droṇa-karṇābhyāṃ śvatthāmnā kṛpeṇa ca | tat tvayā nihataṃ vīra tasmād bhuṅkṣva vasundharām ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Ce royaume était gardé par Droṇa et Karṇa, ainsi que par Aśvatthāman et Kṛpa. Pourtant, ô héros, tu les as abattus. Dès lors, jouis de la terre (du royaume) et gouverne-la selon le dharma.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and territory are not portrayed as mere spoils; they come with dharmic accountability. Having overcome renowned guardians, the victor is urged to ‘enjoy/rule the earth’—implying the obligation to govern justly and uphold order.
Vaiśampāyana recounts that the land had been defended by celebrated warriors—Droṇa, Karṇa, Aśvatthāman, and Kṛpa—yet the addressed hero has defeated them. On that basis, he is told to take up and rule the kingdom.