Shloka 21

Devanagari script

रक्ष्यतां सौहृदं तस्मादन्योन्यप्रीतिभावकम्‌ | यथा वो नात्र भेद: स्यात्‌ तत्‌ कुरुष्व युधिछ्िर,युधिष्ठिर! इसलिये आपसकी प्रीतिको बढ़ानेवाले सौहार्दकी रक्षा करो और ऐसा कोई नियम बनाओ, जिससे यहाँ तुमलोगोंमें वैर-विरोध न हो

Transliteration

rakṣyatāṃ sauhṛdaṃ tasmād anyonya-prīti-bhāvakam | yathā vo nātra bhedaḥ syāt tat kuruṣva yudhiṣṭhira ||

Translation

Therefore, safeguard the bond of friendship that nourishes mutual affection. Establish such a rule, O Yudhiṣṭhira, that no division or hostility may arise among you here.

Word by Word

रक्ष्यताम्let (it) be protected

सौहृदम्friendship, amity

तस्मात्therefore, from that (reason)

अन्योन्यप्रीतिभावकम्causing mutual affection

यथाso that, in such a way that

वःof you (all), among you

नnot

अत्रhere

भेदःdivision, dissension

स्यात्may be, should be

तत्that (thing), that (measure)

कुरुष्वdo (you), make (you)

युधिष्ठिरO Yudhiṣṭhira

युधिष्ठिरO Yudhiṣṭhira (repeated for emphasis)

Speaker

नारद उवाच

Characters & Entities

Nārada

Yudhiṣṭhira

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Nārada teaches that social and familial harmony must be actively protected: goodwill (sauhṛda) that increases mutual affection should be preserved, and practical rules should be instituted to prevent factionalism and enmity.

What is happening in the narrative?

Nārada addresses Yudhiṣṭhira with counsel, urging him to take concrete steps—such as setting agreed norms or regulations—so that no rift develops among his people/kinsmen, emphasizing preventive leadership grounded in dharma.