Shloka 1
आदि पर्व, अध्याय 139 — Hiḍimba’s Detection and Hiḍimbā’s Approach to Bhīma
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके ७६ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल ८४३ “लोक हैं) न२्््च्य्निनास् श््य नी्-नत्तज्स अष्टात्रिशर्दाधिकशततमो< ध्याय: युधिष्ठिरका युवराजपदपर अभिषेक, पाण्डवोंके शौर्य, कीर्ति और बलके विस्तारसे धृतराष्ट्रको चिन्ता वैशम्पायन उवाच ततः संवत्सरस्यान्ते यौवराज्याय पार्थिव । स्थापितो धृतराष्ट्रेण पाण्डुपुत्रो युधिष्ठिर:,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--राजन्! तदनन्तर एक वर्ष बीतनेपर धृतराष्ट्रने पाण्डुपुत्र युधिष्ठिरको धृति, स्थिरता, सहिष्णुता, दयालुता, सरलता तथा अविचल सौहार्द आदि सदगुणोंके कारण पालन करनेयोग्य प्रजापर अनुग्रह करनेके लिये युवराजपदपर अभिषिक्त कर दिया
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tataḥ saṃvatsarasyānte yauvarājyāya pārthiva | sthāpito dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa pāṇḍuputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then, at the end of a year, O king, Dhṛtarāṣṭra installed Pāṇḍu’s son Yudhiṣṭhira as heir-apparent (crown prince). The act signals a public endorsement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s fitness to protect and favor the people through steadiness, forbearance, and righteous governance—yet it also sets the stage for inner anxiety and political tension within the Kuru house.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate rule is grounded in dharma: a king should elevate a successor who embodies steadiness, patience, and concern for the welfare of subjects. The verse frames political appointment as an ethical act aimed at public good, not merely family preference.
After a year, Dhṛtarāṣṭra formally installs Yudhiṣṭhira as crown prince. This public decision recognizes Yudhiṣṭhira’s suitability to govern and becomes a key turning point that intensifies court politics and latent rivalry.