Shloka 236
Jayadratha Approaches Draupadī in the Forest
Hospitality, Persuasion, and Reproach
अज्ञातैर्यदि वा ज्ञातै: कर्तव्यं नूपते: प्रियम् | कुरुश्रेष्ठ॒ जो राजकीय सेनामें रहकर जीविका चलाते हैं तथा राजाके राज्यमें निवास करते हैं, वे ज्ञात हों या अज्ञात; उनका कर्तव्य है कि वे सदा राजाका प्रिय करें
ajñātair yadi vā jñātaiḥ kartavyaṃ nṛpateḥ priyam | kuruśreṣṭha ye rājikī-senāyāṃ sthitvā jīvikāṃ calayanti tathā rājñaḥ rājyamadhye nivasanti, te jñātā vā ajñātā vā; teṣāṃ kartavyaṃ yat sadā rājñaḥ priyam ācaret ||
अज्ञातैरपि वा ज्ञातैः कर्तव्यं नृपतेः प्रियम् । ये राजकीयसेनायां जीविकां कुर्वते जनाः ॥ ये च राज्ञो राज्ये वसन्ति, ते सर्वे—ज्ञाता अज्ञाताश्च—सदा नृपस्य प्रियमेवाचरितुमर्हन्ति; एष एव तेषां धर्मः, कुरुश्रेष्ठ ॥
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Those who earn their livelihood under royal protection—especially within the king’s army and territory—incur an obligation of rājadharma: to act in ways that support the ruler and preserve the stability of the realm, regardless of personal fame or anonymity.
Karna is articulating a principle of political and social duty: subjects and soldiers living within a king’s domain should maintain conduct that pleases and supports the king, framing loyalty as a normative obligation tied to residence and livelihood.