Shloka 13
Aśvamedha-saṃbhāra: Return of the Horse, Auspicious Timing, and Construction of the Yajña Enclosure
इत्युक्तो धर्मराजेन वृष्ण्यन्धकपतिस्तदा । प्रोवाचेदं वचो वाग्मी धर्मात्मानं युधिषछ्ठिरम्,धर्मराजके इस प्रकार पूछनेपर वृष्णि और अन्धकवंशी यादवोंके स्वामी प्रवचनकुशल भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने धर्मात्मा युधिष्ठिससे इस प्रकार कहा--
ity ukto dharmarājena vṛṣṇy-andhaka-patis tadā | provācedaṃ vaco vāgmī dharmātmānaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram ||
Thus addressed by Dharmarāja (Yudhiṣṭhira), the lord of the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas—eloquent in speech—then spoke these words to the righteous-souled Yudhiṣṭhira. The narrative frames Kṛṣṇa’s reply as a dharma-grounded response to a king’s inquiry, preparing for instruction meant to guide ethical governance and conduct.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse itself functions as a narrative hinge: it emphasizes that Kṛṣṇa’s forthcoming reply is prompted by a dharma-centered question from Yudhiṣṭhira, framing the instruction as authoritative ethical guidance for righteous living and rule.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that, after Yudhiṣṭhira (Dharmarāja) addresses him, Kṛṣṇa—described as the eloquent leader of the Vṛṣṇi-Andhaka clans—begins to speak to Yudhiṣṭhira, introducing the next section of counsel.