Shloka 8
Vyāsa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira: Pratismṛti-vidyā, Arjuna’s Aśtra-Quest, and the Move to Kāmyaka
शक्ति न हापयिष्यन्ति ते काले प्रतिपूजिता: । अद्य चेयं मही कृत्स्ना दुर्योधनवशानुगा,जो लोग उसके द्वारा समय-समयपर समादृत हुए हैं, वे कभी उसकी शक्ति क्षीण नहीं होने देंगे | पार्थ! आज यह सारी पृथ्वी ग्राम, नगर, समुद्र, वन तथा खानोंसहित दुर्योधनके वशमें है। तुम्हीं हम सब लोगोंके अत्यन्त प्रिय हो। हमारे उद्धारका सारा भार तुमपर ही है
śaktiṁ na hāpayiṣyanti te kāle pratipūjitāḥ | adya ceyaṁ mahī kṛtsnā duryodhanavaśānugā |
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Those who have been honoured by him at the proper times will never allow his power to diminish. And today this entire earth has come under Duryodhana’s sway.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Yudhiṣṭhira highlights a political-ethical principle: timely honour and patronage create durable loyalty, so those who have been properly respected will protect a leader’s power and prevent its decline.
Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on the present political reality: Duryodhana’s influence is widespread because he has cultivated supporters through appropriate honours, and thus the kingdom appears firmly under his sway.