Shloka 1
Gandhamādana-nivāsaḥ — Draupadyāḥ prārthanā, Bhīmasenārohaṇaṃ, Maṇimāna-yuddham
Chapter 157: Draupadi’s request, Bhima’s ascent, and the combat with Maniman
वैशम्पायनजी कहते है--जनमेजय! उस सौगन्धिक सरोवरके तटपर निवास करते हुए धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरने एक दिन ब्राह्मणों तथा द्रौपदीसहित अपने भाइयोंसे इस प्रकार कहा --
Vaiśampāyana uvāca—Janamejaya! tasmin saugandhika-sarovara-taṭe nivasan dharmarājaḥ Yudhiṣṭhiraḥ kadācit brāhmaṇaiḥ saha draupadyā ca saha svabhrātṝn evaṃ uvāca.
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Janamejaya, while dwelling on the bank of that Saugandhika lake, Dharma-rāja Yudhiṣṭhira one day addressed his brothers—together with Draupadī and in the presence of brāhmaṇas—in the following manner.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames Yudhiṣṭhira as ‘Dharmarāja’ speaking in a setting that includes brāhmaṇas and Draupadī, highlighting that counsel and decision-making should be grounded in dharma, respectful discourse, and accountability before the wise.
Vaiśampāyana continues his narration to King Janamejaya: the Pāṇḍavas are staying by the Saugandhika lake, and Yudhiṣṭhira prepares to address his brothers (with Draupadī and brāhmaṇas present), introducing the speech that follows in the next verses.