Shloka 25
पूर्वेषां पार्थिवेन्द्राणां महेन्द्रप्रतिमौजसाम् । न्यायाधिगतवित्तानां तां श्र॒ुत्वा यज्ञसम्पदम्,बिना बादलके आकाशकी-सी कान्तिवाले, बुद्धिमानोंमें श्रेष्ठ वागीश्वर भगवान् व्यास जब युधिष्ठिरको आश्वासन देकर चले गये, तब देवराज इन्द्रके समान पराक्रमी और न्यायसे धन प्राप्त करनेवाले प्राचीन राजाओंके उस यज्ञ-वैभवकी कथा सुनकर दिद्दान् युधिष्ठिर मन-ही-मन उनके प्रति आदरकी भावना करते हुए शोकसे रहित हो गये। तदनन्तर फिर दीनभावसे यह सोचने लगे कि अर्जुनसे मैं क्या कहूँगा
pūrveṣāṃ pārthivendrāṇāṃ mahendrapratimaujāsām | nyāyādhigatavittānāṃ tāṃ śrutvā yajñasampadam ||
Vyāsa said: Hearing of that sacrificial prosperity and splendor belonging to the ancient lords of the earth—men whose might was like Indra’s and whose wealth had been acquired through justice—Yudhiṣṭhira’s mind was steadied with reverence for the righteous of old. Yet, even after being consoled, he again sank into humility and anxious reflection, wondering what he could say to Arjuna.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical ideal of rulership: true royal prosperity is grounded in nyāya (justice). Wealth gained through rightful means and power tempered by dharma become worthy of reverence, offering moral reassurance even amid grief and war.
Vyāsa narrates Yudhiṣṭhira’s response after hearing about the sacrificial grandeur of ancient righteous kings. Though consoled and momentarily freed from sorrow by recalling dharmic exemplars, Yudhiṣṭhira again becomes inwardly troubled, thinking anxiously about what he will say to Arjuna.