Shloka 24
शल्यस्य सेनापत्याभ्युपगमः | Śalya’s Acceptance of Command
युधिष्ठिरं कथं पश्चादनुयास्यामि दासवत् । “समस्त राजाओंके ऊपर सूर्यके समान प्रकाशित होकर अब दासकी भाँति युधिष्ठिरके पीछे-पीछे कैसे चलूँगा? ।। कथं भुक््त्वा स्वयं भोगान् दत्त्वा दायांश्व॒ पुष्कलान्
yudhiṣṭhiraṃ kathaṃ paścād anuyāsyāmi dāsavat | samasta-rājānām upari sūrya iva prakāśitvā idānīṃ dāsavat yudhiṣṭhirasya pṛṣṭhataḥ pṛṣṭhataḥ kathaṃ caliṣyāmi || kathaṃ bhuktvā svayaṃ bhogān dattvā dāyāṃś ca puṣkalān |
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “Paano ko masusundan si Yudhiṣṭhira na gaya ng isang alipin? Ako na minsang nagliwanag na parang araw sa ibabaw ng lahat ng hari—paano ngayon ako lalakad sa likuran ni Yudhiṣṭhira na wari’y isang alipin? At paano matatanggap ng isang minsang nagtamasa ng mga ligaya at nagkaloob ng saganang bahagi sa iba ang ganitong pagbabaligtad ng kapalaran?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between former status and present duty: one who once stood ‘like the sun over kings’ struggles to accept humility and subordination. It points to the need to restrain pride and accept rightful order when fortune and power change.
Sañjaya voices a protest born of humiliation and shock at changed circumstances: after having enjoyed royal eminence and distributed generous portions, he cannot imagine walking behind Yudhiṣṭhira like a servant. The speech reflects the psychological and political upheaval surrounding the war’s outcomes.