Shloka 16
कर्णस्य मन्त्रः — Duryodhana-प्रति नीति-विचारः
Karna’s Counsel on Strategy toward the Pāṇḍavas
तच्छुत्वा द्रुपदो राजा कुन्तीपुत्रस्य भाषितम् । विगर्हयमास तदा धृतराष्ट्रं नरेश्वरम्,कुन्तीकुमारके मुखसे वह सारा समाचार सुनकर वक्ताओंमें श्रेष्ठ महाराज द्रपदने उस समय राजा धुृतराष्ट्रकी बड़ी निन्दा की और कुन्तीनन्दन युधिष्ठिरको आश्वासन दिया। साथ ही उन्होंने यह प्रतिज्ञा भी की कि “हम तुम्हें तुम्हारा राज्य दिलवाकर रहेंगे”
tac chrutvā drupado rājā kuntīputrasya bhāṣitam | vigarhayāmāsa tadā dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ nareśvaram ||
Ao ouvir as palavras do filho de Kuntī, o rei Drupada censurou então com veemência Dhṛtarāṣṭra, senhor dos homens. Tomado de indignação ética diante da injustiça cometida, tranquilizou Yudhiṣṭhira e jurou que faria restaurar-lhe o reino que lhe era de direito.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s legitimacy rests on dharma: when injustice is done to the rightful heir, ethical leadership requires frank censure of wrongdoing and active commitment to restore justice, not silent complicity.
After hearing Yudhiṣṭhira’s words, Drupada denounces Dhṛtarāṣṭra for his conduct and offers Yudhiṣṭhira reassurance, aligning himself with the cause of restoring the Pandavas’ rightful sovereignty.