Shloka 31
द्रौपदी-शैब्यसंवादः — Draupadī’s Identification and Counsel on Hospitality
विदीर्येत् सकला भूमिद्यौश्वापि शकलीभवेत् | रविरात्मप्रभां जह्मात् सोम: शीतांशुतां त्यजेत्,“चाहे सारी पृथ्वी फट जाय, आकाशके टुकड़े-टुकड़े हो जाय, सूर्य अपनी प्रभा और चन्द्रमा अपनी शीतलता त्याग दें, वायु अपनी तीव्र गति छोड़ दें, हिमालय अपना स्थान छोड़कर इधर-उधर घूमने लगे, समुद्रका जल सूख जाय तथा अग्नि अपनी उष्णता त्याग दे; परंतु मैं आपके बिना इस पृथ्वीका शासन नहीं करूँगा। राजन्! अब आप प्रसन्न हो जाइये, प्रसन्न हो जाइये।” इस अन्तिम वाक्यको दुःशासनने बार-बार दुहराया और इस प्रकार कहा --
vidīryet sakalā bhūmir dyauś cāpi śakalībhavet | ravir ātmaprabhāṃ jahyāt somaḥ śītāṃśutāṃ tyajet |
Disse Vaiśampāyana: “Ainda que a terra inteira se fenda, ainda que o céu se despedace em fragmentos; ainda que o sol abandone o próprio fulgor e a lua renuncie aos seus raios frescos — mesmo assim (assim se relata o voto) ele não aceitaria governar a terra sem ti. ‘Ó rei, apazigua-te — apazigua-te!’” Esta última súplica Duḥśāsana repetiu vez após vez.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage illustrates how intense loyalty and political persuasion can be framed through cosmic hyperbole—invoking the collapse of natural order to emphasize an unyielding stance. Ethically, it invites reflection on whether steadfastness is aligned with dharma or merely stubborn attachment serving questionable ends.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates a dramatic appeal in which a speaker (as reported) declares that even if cosmic laws fail—earth splitting, sky fragmenting, sun and moon losing their qualities—he will not rule without the addressed king. Duḥśāsana repeatedly urges, “O King, be pleased,” reinforcing the plea through repetition.