Shloka 3
Draupadī’s Exhortation on Rājadharma and Daṇḍa (द्रौपद्याः राजधर्मोपदेशः)
आसीनमृषभा राज्ञां भ्रातृभि: परिवारितम् । सिंहशार्दूलसदृशैर्वारणैरिव यूथपम्
āsīnam ṛṣabhā rājñāṁ bhrātṛbhiḥ parivāritam | siṁhaśārdūlasadṛśair vāraṇair iva yūthapam ||
राजांमध्ये श्रेष्ठ असा युधिष्ठिर आसनस्थ असून सिंह-व्याघ्रासारख्या पराक्रमी भावांनी वेढलेला आहे असे पाहून—जणू बलवान हत्तींच्या वेढ्यातील यूथपती गजराज—(द्रौपदी) त्यास संबोधू लागली.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical leadership as requiring steadiness of mind: even after hearing correct instruction on dharma, a ruler may fall into silence from grief or doubt, and compassionate counsel—here embodied by Draupadī—becomes necessary to reawaken resolve and right action.
Yudhiṣṭhira sits surrounded by his powerful brothers, yet remains silent despite their dharma-instruction. Draupadī looks toward him and begins to speak in a soothing, sweet tone, preparing to counsel and console him.