Shloka 56
Adhyāya 31: Rājasūya-samāgama — The Gathering of Kings and the Ordering of Hospitality
ईप्सितं तु करिष्यामि मनसस्तव पाण्डव,'परंतु भरतसत्तम! राजा नीलके कुलमें जबतक उनकी वंशपरम्परा चलती रहेगी, तबतक मुझे इस माहिष्मतीपुरीकी रक्षा करनी होगी। पाण्डुकुमार! साथ ही मैं तुम्हारा मनोरथ भी पूर्ण करूँगा”
īpsitaṃ tu kariṣyāmi manasas tava pāṇḍava | parantu bharatasattama rājā nīlasya kule yāvat teṣāṃ vaṃśaparamparā pravartiṣyate tāvat mayā asyā māhiṣmatīpuryā rakṣā kartavyā | pāṇḍukumāra sahaiva ca tava manoratho 'pi pūrayiṣyāmi ||
サハデーヴァは言った。「おおパーンドゥの子（パーンドゥヴァ）よ、そなたの心の望むところを、まことに我は成し遂げよう。だが、おおバーラタ族の最勝者よ、ニーラ王の血統がその家に続くかぎり、このマーヒシュマティーの都を守護することは我が務めである。おおパーンドゥの子よ、それでもなお、そなたの目的もまた成就させよう。」
सहदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as a binding obligation: even while agreeing to fulfill a superior’s wish, one must not abandon a prior, rightful duty—here, the pledged protection of Māhiṣmatī as long as King Nīla’s dynasty endures.
Sahadeva responds to a Pāṇḍava’s request by consenting to carry it out, but he sets a clear condition grounded in responsibility: he must continue guarding Māhiṣmatī for King Nīla’s line, while still promising to accomplish the Pāṇḍava’s objective.