Shloka 9
द्रुपदवाक्यं
Drupada’s Counsel on Conciliation and Alliance Mobilization
स च दुर्योधनो नून॑ प्रेषयिष्यति सर्वश: । पूर्वाभिपन्ना: सन्तश्न भजन्ते पूर्वचोदनम्
sa ca duryodhano nūnaṁ preṣayiṣyati sarvaśaḥ | pūrvābhipannāḥ santaś ca bhajante pūrvacodanam ||
Et, à n’en pas douter, Duryodhana enverra des messages en tous lieux. Car les rois soucieux d’honneur, lorsqu’on les a sollicités les premiers pour obtenir leur aide, ont coutume de soutenir celui qui fit la première demande, s’attachant à l’appel antérieur comme à une décision arrêtée.
दुपद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a political-ethical norm: honorable rulers often feel bound to the first party that sought their aid, treating prior commitment and the first summons as decisive in choosing sides.
Drupada anticipates Duryodhana’s diplomatic move—sending envoys widely to secure allies—and warns that many kings, having been approached first, may align with him out of a sense of prior obligation.