Shloka 4
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 146 — Brāhmaṇī’s counsel on grief, duty, and protection of children
तैर्वृतः पुरुषव्याप्रो धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिर: । विबभौ देवसंकाशो वज्रपाणिरिवामरै:,उनसे घिरे हुए पुरुषसिंह धर्मराज युधिष्ठिर, जो देवताओंके समान तेजस्वी थे, इस प्रकार शोभा पा रहे थे मानो देवमण्डलीके बीच साक्षात् वजपाणि इन्द्र हों
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
tair vṛtaḥ puruṣavyāghro dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ |
vibabhau devasaṅkāśo vajrapāṇir ivāmaraiḥ ||
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वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse conveys that dharmic rule is not merely a private virtue: when a righteous king is supported and honored by his companions, his moral authority becomes visibly manifest—described poetically as a god-like radiance. Ethical leadership is portrayed as something that naturally attracts respect and creates collective harmony.
Vaiśampāyana describes Yudhiṣṭhira being surrounded by others (his attendants/companions), and in that assembly he appears exceptionally splendid. The poet heightens the scene through a simile: Yudhiṣṭhira among his circle looks like Indra, thunderbolt in hand, among the gods.