Shloka 23
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
अभवद्ू भरतश्रेष्ठ द्रपद: प्रणयानतः,भरतश्रेष्ठ! तब राजा ट्रुपद प्रेमसे विनीत हो गये और इस प्रकार बोले--'ब्रह्मन्! आपने मेरे सम्बन्धीके कथनानुसार जो बात मुझे सुनायी है, इसका उत्तर मेरा दूत स्वयं जाकर राजाको देगा”
abhavad bharataśreṣṭha drupadaḥ praṇayānataḥ | bharataśreṣṭha! tataḥ rājā drupadaḥ premnā vinītaḥ sañjātaḥ evaṃ ca uvāca— “brahman! bhavatā mama sambandhino vacanānusāreṇa yā kathā me śrāvitā, tasyā uttaraṃ mama dūtaḥ svayaṃ gatvā rājñe dāsyati।”
भीष्म म्हणाले—भरतश्रेष्ठ! प्रेमामुळे द्रुपद मृदूचित्त होऊन विनीत झाले. मग आदराने ते म्हणाले—‘ब्रह्मन्! माझ्या नातलगांच्या संदेशानुसार आपण जे मला सांगितले, त्याचे उत्तर माझा दूत स्वतः जाऊन राजाला देईल.’
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid political tension, dharma favors restraint and courteous communication: affection (praṇaya) can soften pride, and a king should respond through proper channels—respectfully, clearly, and without impulsive escalation.
Bhishma narrates that King Drupada, moved by affection and becoming humble, addresses a Brahmin messenger. Drupada says that the message he has heard will be answered not immediately in anger or haste, but through his own envoy who will personally deliver the reply to the other king.