Shloka 28
द्रौपदी-स्वयंवर-प्रारम्भः
Commencement of Draupadī’s Svayaṃvara
ततोडर्धरात्र उत्थाय सूदमानाय्य सत्वरम् । उवाच राजा संस्मृत्य ब्राह्मणस्य प्रतिश्रुतम्,वहाँ आधी रातके समय उन्हें ब्राह्मणको भोजन देनेकी प्रतिज्ञाका स्मरण हुआ। फिर तो वे उठ बैठे और तुरंत रसोइयेको बुलाकर बोले--“जाओ, वनके अमुक प्रदेशमें एक ब्राह्मण भोजनके लिये मेरी प्रतीक्षा करता है। उसे तुम मांसयुक्त भोजनसे तृप्त करो”
tato 'rdharātre utthāya sūdam ānayya satvaram | uvāca rājā saṃsmṛtya brāhmaṇasya pratiśrutam ||
Então, no meio da noite, o rei levantou-se e mandou chamar depressa o cozinheiro. Lembrando-se da promessa feita a um brâmane, disse: “Vai—numa certa parte da floresta há um brâmane à minha espera para a refeição. Sacia-o com um alimento que inclua carne.”
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharma as fidelity to one’s pledged word (pratiśruta) and responsibility toward a waiting guest; the king’s haste shows that promises are binding regardless of inconvenience.
At midnight the king remembers his promise to feed a Brahmin who is waiting in the forest, summons the cook at once, and orders him to go and satisfy the Brahmin with a substantial meal.