Shloka 48
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
न नून॑ कर्मभि: पुण्यैरश्ुते पुरुष: सुखम् । द्रौपदी चेत् तथावृत्ता नाश्नुते सुखमव्ययम्,“यदि वैसे सदाचार और सत्कर्मोंसे युक्त ट्रुपदकुमारी अक्षय सुख नहीं पा रही है, तब तो निश्चय ही यह कहना पड़ेगा कि मनुष्य पुण्यकर्मोंसे सुख नहीं पाता है
na nūnaṁ karmabhiḥ puṇyair aśnute puruṣaḥ sukham | draupadī cet tathāvṛttā nāśnute sukham avyayam ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “Tunay ngang hindi nakakamtan ng tao ang ligaya sa pamamagitan ng mga gawaing may bisa. Sapagkat kung si Draupadī—na ganyan ang kabutihan ng asal—ay hindi rin nakakamit ang ligayang di-nauubos, kung gayon kailangang sabihing ang birtud at mabubuting gawa ay hindi nagbubunga ng ligaya.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse raises a moral problem: if a notably virtuous person like Draupadī does not obtain lasting happiness, it appears to challenge the assumption that puṇya (merit) reliably produces sukha (happiness). It is a reflective, almost skeptical inference meant to highlight the tension between moral deserts and lived suffering.
Vaiśampāyana comments on Draupadī’s condition and experience. Observing that she—despite righteous conduct—does not enjoy ‘imperishable happiness,’ he frames an argument that seems to question the efficacy of meritorious action, thereby intensifying the ethical and emotional stakes surrounding the unfolding conflict.