Shloka 26
धृतराष्ट्रस्य वनप्रस्थानानुज्ञा | Permission for Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Forest-Retirement
स चापि पालयामास यथावत् तच्च वेत्थ ह । उनके बाद मेरे भाई पाण्डुने इस राज्यका यथावत्रूपसे पालन किया। इसे आप सब लोग जानते हैं। अपने प्रजापालनरूपी गुणके कारण ही वे आपलोगोंके परम प्रिय हो गये थे
sa cāpi pālayāmāsa yathāvat tac ca vettha ha |
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “Pagkaraan niya, ang aking kapatid na si Pāṇḍu ay namahala rin sa kahariang ito nang wasto—alam na alam ninyo iyan. Dahil sa kanyang kabutihang-loob na nahayag sa pag-iingat at pag-aaruga sa mga nasasakupan, siya’y naging lubhang minamahal ninyong lahat.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma: a king’s legitimacy and belovedness arise from yathāvat rule—especially prajā-pālana, the active protection and welfare of the people. Ethical governance is presented as a primary royal virtue.
Vaiśampāyana, narrating the lineage and conduct of rulers, notes that Pāṇḍu (after the previous ruler) administered the kingdom properly. The narrator emphasizes that the people’s affection for him came from his exemplary care for his subjects.