Shloka 16
अथ नेच्छसि राजानं कुन्तीपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम् । मेढीभूत: स्वयं राज्यं प्रतिगृह्नीष्व पार्थिव,“नरेश्वर! यदि आप कुन्तीपुत्र युधिष्ठिरको राजा बनाना नहीं चाहते तो स्वयं ही मेठ बनकर सारे राज्यका भार स्वयं ही लिये रहिये
atha necchasi rājānaṃ kuntīputraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram | meḍhībhūtaḥ svayaṃ rājyaṃ pratigṛhṇīṣva pārthiva ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “If you do not wish to have Kuntī’s son Yudhiṣṭhira installed as king, then you yourself—becoming the central pillar (the one who bears the yoke)—accept the kingdom and carry its burden. O ruler of men, take the responsibility upon yourself.”
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate rule is inseparable from responsibility: if one refuses to support the rightful king, one must be prepared to shoulder the full burden of governance oneself. The verse frames kingship as a moral duty rather than a privilege.
Vaiśaṃpāyana addresses a ruler, pressing a practical and ethical choice: either accept Yudhiṣṭhira (Kuntī’s son) as king, or personally take up the weight of the kingdom—like a central post that bears the yoke—rather than leaving authority unresolved.