Shloka 31
यदा विहारं प्रसमीक्षमाणा: प्रयान्ति पुत्रास्तव याज्ञसेनि । एकैकमेषामनुयान्ति तत्र रथाक्ष यानानि च दन्तिनश्ष,'याज्ञसेनी! तुम्हारे पुत्र जब नगरकी शोभा देखनेके लिये घूमने निकलते हैं, उस समय उनमेंसे प्रत्येकके लिये रथ, घोड़े, हाथी और पालकी आदि सवारियाँ पीछे-पीछे जाती हैं!
yadā vihāraṁ prasamīkṣamāṇāḥ prayānti putrās tava yājñaseni | ekaika-meṣām anuyānti tatra rathākṣa-yānāni ca dantinaś ca ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai Yājñasenī, setiap kali putra-putramu keluar untuk menikmati rekreasi dan memandang kemegahan kota, masing-masing diikuti dari belakang oleh rombongan kendaraan yang lengkap—kereta perang dan berbagai tunggangan lain, bahkan gajah—yang mengiringinya.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the visible signs of royal status—retinues, vehicles, and elephants—suggesting how power and prosperity manifest outwardly. Ethically, it invites reflection on how external grandeur can shape social perception and how rulers’ households are constantly observed and judged by public display.
Vaiśampāyana addresses Draupadī (Yājñasenī), describing how her sons, when they go out to see the city and enjoy an outing, are each accompanied by attendants and conveyances—chariots, other vehicles, and elephants—following behind as part of their princely entourage.