Shloka 10
द्रोणेन दुर्योधनस्य कवचबन्धनम् — Drona’s Mantra-Bound Armor for Duryodhana
त॑ वनस्पतय: शैला देवासुरनरोरगा: । सप्तर्षय: पुण्यजना गन्धर्वाप्सरसोडपि च,एक दिन सुखपूर्वक बैठे हुए राजा पृथुके पास वनस्पति, पर्वत, देवता, असुर, मनुष्य, सर्प, सप्तर्षि, पुण्यजन (यक्ष), गन्धर्व, अप्सरा तथा पितरोंने आकर इस प्रकार कहा --“महाराज! तुम हमारे सम्राट हो, क्षत्रिय हो तथा राजा, रक्षक और पिता हो। तुम हमें अभीष्ट वर दो, जिससे हमलोग अनन्त कालतक तृप्ति और सुखका अनुभव करें। तुम ऐसा करनेमें समर्थ हो”
tā vanaspatayaḥ śailā devāsura-naroragāḥ | saptarṣayaḥ puṇyajanā gandharvāpsaraso ’pi ca ||
Nārada said: Then the trees and plants, the mountains, the gods and the asuras, human beings and serpents, the Seven Ṛṣis, the Yakṣas (holy beings), and also the Gandharvas and Apsarases gathered together. Approaching King Pṛthu in a spirit of concord, they addressed him as their sovereign—protector and father—and asked him to grant them a boon by which they might attain lasting satisfaction and well-being, for they believed him capable of securing the welfare of all orders of beings.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ideal kingship (rājadharma) as universal guardianship: the ruler is not merely a political head but a protector and 'father' responsible for the welfare of all classes of beings. Legitimate sovereignty is measured by the capacity to secure lasting well-being and harmony.
Nārada narrates a scene where diverse beings—natural, divine, and semi-divine—assemble and approach King Pṛthu. They acknowledge him as their sovereign and request a boon that will ensure enduring satisfaction and happiness for them all.