Shloka 23
द्रौपदी-शैब्यसंवादः — Draupadī’s Identification and Counsel on Hospitality
प्रतीच्छ त्वं मया दत्तमभिषेकं नूपो भव । प्रशाधि पृथिवीं स्फीतां कर्णममौबलपालिताम्
pratīccha tvaṁ mayā dattam abhiṣekaṁ nṛpo bhava | praśādhi pṛthivīṁ sphītāṁ karṇam amau balapālitām ||
「我が授けた王位の灌頂を受けよ。王となり、この栄えある大地を治めよ――カルナとシャクニの力により堅く守られたこの国土を。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes rajadharma: accepting legitimate responsibility (abhiṣeka) and governing for the realm’s prosperity and security. It also implicitly raises an ethical question—political stability may be achieved through powerful allies, but the ruler remains accountable for how such power and counsel are used.
A speaker (reported by Vaiśampāyana) urges a figure to accept coronation and take up kingship, instructing him to rule a prosperous earth said to be protected by the strength and support of Karṇa and Śakuni—signaling a political consolidation backed by key Kaurava-aligned figures.