Shloka 22

Devanagari script

ये चाप्यनुरता: पौरा राजभक्तिपुर:सरा: । धृतराष्ट्र महाराजमभिगच्छन्तु ते च वै,जो पुरवासी राजभक्तिवश मेरे पीछे-पीछे चले आये हैं, वे अब महाराज धूृतराष्ट्रके पास चले जायँ। वे उनके लिये यथासमय समुचित आजीविका प्रदान करेंगे। यदि राजा धृतराष्ट्र उचित जीविकाकी व्यवस्था न करें तो पांचालनरेश ट्रुपद हमारा प्रिय और हित करनेके लिये अवश्य आपलोगोंको जीविका देंगे

Transliteration

ye cāpy anuratāḥ paurā rājabhaktipuraḥsarāḥ | dhṛtarāṣṭra-mahārājam abhigacchantu te ca vai ||

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Let those townsmen too—who are devoted and who have followed me out of loyalty to the king—now go to the great king Dhṛtarāṣṭra. He should provide them, at the proper time, with fitting means of livelihood. And if King Dhṛtarāṣṭra does not arrange suitable sustenance, then King Drupada of the Pāñcālas—who is dear to us and intent on our welfare—will surely provide you all with support.”

Word by Word

येwho (those)

चand

अपिalso

अनुरताःdevoted, attached

पौराःcitizens, townsmen

राजभक्तिपुरःसराःhaving loyalty to the king in front/foremost (led by devotion to the king)

धृतराष्ट्रम्Dhṛtarāṣṭra

महाराजम्the great king

अभिगच्छन्तुlet them go to / approach

तेthey, those

चand

वैindeed, surely

Speaker

युधिछिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

Yudhiṣṭhira

Paurāḥ (citizens/townsmen)

Dhṛtarāṣṭra

Drupada

Pāñcāla

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A king’s dharma includes ensuring the livelihood and protection of dependents and loyal subjects; even amid exile and political strain, Yudhiṣṭhira prioritizes the welfare of those who followed him and directs them to legitimate support, emphasizing responsible governance and compassionate duty.

What is happening in the narrative?

Yudhiṣṭhira addresses the townspeople who had followed him out of loyalty. He instructs them to return and approach King Dhṛtarāṣṭra for maintenance; if Dhṛtarāṣṭra fails to provide, Yudhiṣṭhira points to Drupada of Pāñcāla as an alternative patron who will support them.