Shloka 53
Adhyāya 128 — Proposal to Restrain Keśava; Sātyaki’s Warning and Vidura–Dhṛtarāṣṭra Counsel
राजपिण्डभयादेते यदि हास्यन्ति जीवितम् । नहि शक्ष्यन्ति राजानं युधिष्ठिरमुदीक्षितुम्,“इस राज्यका इन्होंने जो अन्न खाया है, उसके भयसे यद्यपि ये तुम्हारी ओरसे लड़कर अपने प्राणोंका परित्याग कर देंगे, तथापि राजा युधिष्ठिरकी ओर कभी वक्र दृष्टिसे नहीं देख सकेंगे
rājapiṇḍabhayād ete yadi hāsyanti jīvitam | nahi śakṣyanti rājānaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram udīkṣitum ||
वैशंपायन म्हणाले—राजपिंड (राजाचे अन्न) खाल्ल्याच्या भयामुळे हे लोक तुमच्या बाजूने लढताना प्राणही सोडतील; तरीही राजा युधिष्ठिराकडे ते कधीही वाकड्या, शत्रुत्वपूर्ण नजरेने पाहू शकणार नाहीत।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the binding moral force of accepted patronage: those who have lived on a king’s bounty may feel compelled to fight and even die for their patron, yet true righteousness commands such respect that they cannot bring themselves to regard a dharmic king like Yudhiṣṭhira with hostile intent.
Vaiśampāyana comments on the mindset of certain warriors/retainers: although they may fight on one side due to the obligation of having eaten the ‘king’s food’ (royal support), their conscience and reverence prevent them from turning their gaze against Yudhiṣṭhira as an enemy in spirit.