Shloka 41
अध्याय ९ — धृतराष्ट्रस्य युधिष्ठिरं प्रति राजनित्युपदेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel on Royal Policy to Yudhiṣṭhira
प्रजा: कुरुकुलश्रेष्ठ पाण्डवान् शीलभूषणान् । “बुद्धिमान् कुरुकुलश्रेष्ठी समस्त पाण्डव शीलरूपी सदगुणसे विभूषित हैं; अतः भले- बुरे सभी समयोंमें सारी प्रजा निश्चय ही उनका अनुसरण करेगी || ४० $ ।।
prajāḥ kurukulaśreṣṭha pāṇḍavān śīlabhūṣaṇān | buddhimān kurukulaśreṣṭhī samasta-pāṇḍava-śīlarūpī sadguṇaiḥ vibhūṣitaḥ; ataḥ bhale-bure sarveṣu samayeṣu sārvā prajā niścayaṃ teṣām anugamanaṃ kariṣyati ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “O pinakamainam sa angkan ng Kuru, ang mga Pāṇḍava ay pinalalamutian ng marangal na asal at mabuting pagkatao. Sa kanilang karunungan at mga birtud na nahahayag bilang huwarang pag-uugali, sila’y nagiging pamantayan ng iba. Kaya sa panahong mabuti man o masama, ang buong bayan ay tiyak na susunod sa kanilang pangunguna.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Public life is shaped by exemplars: when rulers or leading figures are steady in wisdom and virtuous conduct (śīla, sadguṇa), society naturally imitates them in both prosperity and hardship. Ethical leadership thus becomes a practical force for sustaining dharma.
Vaiśampāyana comments on the moral stature of the Pāṇḍavas, emphasizing that their recognized wisdom and good conduct make them models for the people; hence the subjects are expected to align themselves with the Pāṇḍavas’ path regardless of changing circumstances.