Shloka 373
Draupadī’s Exhortation on Rājadharma and Daṇḍa (द्रौपद्याः राजधर्मोपदेशः)
मान्धाता चाम्बरीषश्न तथा राजन् विराजसे । नृपश्रेष्ठट जैसे मान्धाता और अम्बरीष भूमण्डलके समस्त राजाओंमें सम्मानित थे, राजन! वैसे ही आप भी सुशोभित हो रहे हैं
māndhātā cāmbārīṣaś ca tathā rājan virājase | nṛpaśreṣṭha yathā māndhātā ambarīṣo bhūmaṇḍalasya samastanṛpānāṃ madhye sammānitaḥ, tathā tvam api suśobhase ||
ಓ ರಾಜನೇ! ಮಾಂಧಾತಾ ಮತ್ತು ಅಂಬರೀಷರು ಭೂಮಂಡಲದ ಎಲ್ಲ ರಾಜರ ನಡುವೆ ಗೌರವಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಂತೆ, ನೀನೂ ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಪ್ರಕಾಶಮಾನವಾಗಿ ವಿರಾಜಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀಯ.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds the ideal of rājadharma by measuring a present king against celebrated exemplars (Māndhātṛ and Ambarīṣa). True royal “splendor” is not mere power but the public recognition that arises from virtue, righteous conduct, and beneficent rule.
Vaiśampāyana offers a laudatory comparison: he tells the addressed king that he shines like the famed ancient rulers Māndhātṛ and Ambarīṣa, who were honored among all kings on earth. The statement functions as both praise and a moral benchmark for continued righteous governance.