Shloka 23
Āstīka’s Commission and Approach to Janamejaya’s Sarpa-satra (आस्तीक-प्रेषणं यज्ञप्रवेशोपक्रमश्च)
यथा पाण्डुर्महाबाहुर्धनुर्धरवरो युधि । अस्मास्वासज्य सर्वाणि राजकार्याण्यशेषत:
yathā pāṇḍur mahābāhur dhanurdharavaro yudhi | asmāsv āsajya sarvāṇi rājakāryāṇy aśeṣataḥ ||
Disse Janamejaya: “Assim como Pāṇḍu, de braços poderosos—o mais eminente entre os arqueiros no combate—apoiando-se em nós, cumpriu por completo todos os deveres da realeza.”
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadhrama in practice: a capable king is praised not only for martial excellence but for fully discharging the complete range of royal responsibilities, often by relying on trusted supporters and institutions.
Janamejaya, in questioning within the Ādi Parva’s genealogical and early-history frame, refers to Pāṇḍu’s stature—mighty and foremost in battle—and notes how he carried out all affairs of kingship completely, relying upon “us” (his own people/kinsmen/supporters) as the basis for that governance.