Shloka 16
Draupadī’s Rebuke of Jayadratha and Dhaumya’s Admonition (Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 252)
त एवमुक्ता: प्रत्यूचू राजानमरिमर्दनम्,ऐसा उत्तर पाकर सब सुहदोंने शत्रुदमन राजा दुर्योधनसे कहा--'राजेन्द्र! तुम्हारी जो गति होगी वही हमारी भी होगी। भारत! हम तुम्हारे बिना हस्तिनापुरमें कैसे प्रवेश करेंगे?”
te evamuktāḥ pratyūcuḥ rājānam arimardanam | rājendra tava yā gatir bhaviṣyati saiva asmākam api bhaviṣyati | bhārata tvayā vinā vayaṃ hastināpuraṃ kathaṃ praviśema ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Thus addressed, the well-wishers replied to the enemy-subduing king: “O lord of kings, whatever course and fate await you, that same will be ours as well. O scion of Bharata, without you how could we enter Hastināpura?” The reply underscores their pledged solidarity with the king—choosing shared consequence over self-preservation, and framing loyalty as a moral commitment in the face of impending conflict.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethic of shared responsibility: true companions accept the same outcome as their leader, valuing fidelity and collective honor over individual safety. It also hints at the moral weight of political allegiance—standing with a king implies sharing the consequences of his chosen path.
After being addressed, the king’s well-wishers/allies respond to Duryodhana, declaring that his fate will be theirs too. They insist they cannot enter Hastināpura without him, emphasizing their dependence on his leadership and their commitment to remain united with him.