Shloka 23
द्रौपदी-शैब्यसंवादः — Draupadī’s Identification and Counsel on Hospitality
प्रतीच्छ त्वं मया दत्तमभिषेकं नूपो भव । प्रशाधि पृथिवीं स्फीतां कर्णममौबलपालिताम्,“मैं तुम्हारा राज्याभिषेक करता हूँ। तुम मेरे दिये हुए इस राज्यको ग्रहण करो और राजा बनो। कर्ण और शकुनिकी सहायतासे सुरक्षित एवं धन-धान्यसे समृद्ध इस पृथ्वीका शासन करो
pratīccha tvaṁ mayā dattam abhiṣekaṁ nṛpo bhava | praśādhi pṛthivīṁ sphītāṁ karṇam amau balapālitām ||
ਮੇਰੇ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਇਹ ਰਾਜਅਭਿਸ਼ੇਕ ਸਵੀਕਾਰ ਕਰ; ਰਾਜਾ ਬਣ। ਕਰਨ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਕੁਨੀ ਦੇ ਬਲ ਨਾਲ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ, ਧਨ-ਧਾਨ ਨਾਲ ਸਮ੍ਰਿੱਧ ਇਸ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਾਸਨ ਕਰ।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes rajadharma: accepting legitimate responsibility (abhiṣeka) and governing for the realm’s prosperity and security. It also implicitly raises an ethical question—political stability may be achieved through powerful allies, but the ruler remains accountable for how such power and counsel are used.
A speaker (reported by Vaiśampāyana) urges a figure to accept coronation and take up kingship, instructing him to rule a prosperous earth said to be protected by the strength and support of Karṇa and Śakuni—signaling a political consolidation backed by key Kaurava-aligned figures.