Shloka 6
Jayadratha Approaches Draupadī in the Forest
Hospitality, Persuasion, and Reproach
न चैतत् साधु यद् राजन् पाण्डवास्त्वां नृपोत्तमम्
na caitat sādhu yad rājan pāṇḍavās tvāṃ nṛpottamam
ਕਰਨ ਨੇ ਆਖਿਆ—“ਹੇ ਰਾਜਨ, ਇਹ ਠੀਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਿ ਪਾਂਡਵ ਤੈਨੂੰ—ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਰਵੋਤਮ ਨੂੰ—ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਰਤਣ।”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical judgment in terms of propriety (sādhu/asādhu): even powerful parties like the Pāṇḍavas are accountable to standards of respect and right conduct toward a legitimate ruler. It emphasizes royal honor and the moral expectation that political actions should align with dharma.
Karna addresses a king and criticizes the Pāṇḍavas’ behavior toward him, calling it improper. The line functions as counsel and moral censure, positioning Karna as defending the king’s dignity and questioning the righteousness of the Pāṇḍavas’ conduct in that situation.