Shloka 373
Draupadī’s Exhortation on Rājadharma and Daṇḍa (द्रौपद्याः राजधर्मोपदेशः)
मान्धाता चाम्बरीषश्न तथा राजन् विराजसे । नृपश्रेष्ठट जैसे मान्धाता और अम्बरीष भूमण्डलके समस्त राजाओंमें सम्मानित थे, राजन! वैसे ही आप भी सुशोभित हो रहे हैं
māndhātā cāmbārīṣaś ca tathā rājan virājase | nṛpaśreṣṭha yathā māndhātā ambarīṣo bhūmaṇḍalasya samastanṛpānāṃ madhye sammānitaḥ, tathā tvam api suśobhase ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “O hari, ikaw ay nagniningning gaya nina Māndhātṛ at Ambarīṣa noong una. Kung paanong ang mga dakilang haring iyon ay pinarangalan sa gitna ng lahat ng hari sa lupa, gayon din ikaw ngayon ay natatangi—maningning sa paggalang na iginagawad sa iyo at sa mga birtud ng isang tunay na hari.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds the ideal of rājadharma by measuring a present king against celebrated exemplars (Māndhātṛ and Ambarīṣa). True royal “splendor” is not mere power but the public recognition that arises from virtue, righteous conduct, and beneficent rule.
Vaiśampāyana offers a laudatory comparison: he tells the addressed king that he shines like the famed ancient rulers Māndhātṛ and Ambarīṣa, who were honored among all kings on earth. The statement functions as both praise and a moral benchmark for continued righteous governance.