Shloka 11
द्रुपदवाक्यं
Drupada’s Counsel on Conciliation and Alliance Mobilization
शल्यस्य प्रेष्यतां शीघ्र ये च तस्यानुगा नृपा: । भगदत्ताय राज्ञे च पूर्वसागरवासिने
śalyasya preṣyatāṃ śīghraṃ ye ca tasyānugā nṛpāḥ | bhagadattāya rājñe ca pūrvasāgaravāsine ||
Drupada disse: “Que mensageiros sejam despachados sem demora ao rei Śalya e aos demais governantes que o seguem. Enviai também um mensageiro ao rei Bhagadatta, que habita junto ao mar do oriente.”
दुपद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights timely and proper statecraft: before a major crisis, a king should act swiftly through legitimate diplomatic channels—sending envoys to allies and influential rulers—to build consensus and readiness rather than relying on impulsive force.
Drupada instructs that messengers be sent immediately to King Śalya and his allied rulers, and also to King Bhagadatta, identified as living near the eastern ocean, indicating an effort to gather support and coordinate political-military alliances.