Shloka 10
नलदमयन्त्युपाख्यानम्—नलप्रशंसा हंसदूतवृत्तान्तः
Nala–Damayantī Upākhyāna: Praise of Nala and the Swan-Messenger Episode
पतींक्ष द्रौपदी सर्वान् द्विजातींश्व॒ यशस्विनी । मातृवद् भोजयित्वाग्रे शिष्टमाहारयत् तदा,इसी प्रकार यशस्विनी द्रौपदी भी पतियों तथा समस्त द्विजातियोंको माताके समान पहले भोजन कराकर पीछे बचा-खुचा आप खाती थी
patīṁś ca draupadī sarvān dvijātīṁś ca yaśasvinī | mātṛvad bhojayitvāgre śiṣṭam āhārayat tadā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The illustrious Draupadī would first feed all her husbands and the twice-born guests, treating them with a mother’s care; only afterward, at that time, would she partake of what remained. The verse highlights her disciplined household dharma—placing the needs of dependents and honored guests before her own, embodying restraint, service, and reverence for the brāhmaṇas.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches disciplined dharma in daily life: honoring one’s responsibilities by feeding dependents and honored guests first, showing maternal care, humility, and self-restraint before attending to one’s own needs.
Vaiśampāyana describes Draupadī’s conduct during the forest life: she ensures her husbands and the twice-born guests are fed first, and only then eats the remaining food, illustrating her exemplary service and hospitality.