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 ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Melihat Raja Yudhiṣṭhira—yang terunggul antara para pemerintah—duduk dikelilingi saudara-saudaranya yang gagah laksana singa dan harimau, bagaikan gajah pemimpin kawanan yang dikepung gajah-gajah perkasa, Draupadī pun memandang baginda lalu berkata dengan suara yang sangat lembut dan menenteramkan.
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.