Shloka 39
Draupadī’s Exhortation on Rājadharma and Daṇḍa (द्रौपद्याः राजधर्मोपदेशः)
यजस्व विविधैर्यज्ञैर्युध्यस्वारीन् प्रयच्छ च । धनानि भोगान् वासांसि द्विजातिभ्यो नृपोत्तम
yajasva vividhair yajñair yudhyasvārīn prayaccha ca | dhanāni bhogān vāsāṁsi dvijātibhyo nṛpottama ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai raja yang terbaik, lakukanlah korban suci (yajña) dalam pelbagai bentuk; perangi musuhmu; dan juga berilah—anugerahkan harta, kenikmatan serta keperluan, dan pakaian kepada mereka yang ‘dua kali lahir’ (dvija). Demikianlah seorang pemerintah menegakkan dharma kerajaannya melalui pemujaan, perlindungan, dan sokongan yang murah hati kepada golongan berilmu.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse summarizes key elements of rājadharma: a ruler should uphold sacred order through yajña (public religious duty), protect the realm by confronting enemies, and sustain the learned and priestly class through generous giving of wealth, provisions, and clothing.
Vaiśampāyana, narrating the teaching tradition of the Śānti Parva, presents a directive addressed to a king: perform varied sacrifices, wage necessary war against enemies, and practice charity toward the dvijas—framing kingship as a balance of ritual responsibility, protection, and patronage.