Shloka 73
Jayadratha Approaches Draupadī in the Forest
Hospitality, Persuasion, and Reproach
भवतस्ते सहाया वै प्रेष्यतां पूर्वमागता: । पाण्डव शौर्यसम्पन्न, बलवान् तथा युद्धमें पीठ न दिखानेवाले हैं। वे आपके दास तो बहुत पहले ही हो चुके हैं, अतः उन्हें आपका सहायक होना ही चाहिये
bhavatas te sahāyā vai preṣyatāṃ pūrvam āgatāḥ | pāṇḍavāḥ śaurya-sampannā balavāṃs tathā yuddhe pīṭhaṃ na darśayanti | te bhavataḥ dāsāḥ tu bahu-pūrvam eva bhūtāḥ, ataḥ teṣāṃ bhavataḥ sahāyatvam eva kartavyam |
آپ کے جو مددگار پہلے آ پہنچے ہیں، انہیں پہلے روانہ کیا جائے۔ پانڈو شجاعت و قوت سے بھرپور ہیں اور جنگ میں کبھی پیٹھ نہیں دکھاتے۔ وہ بہت پہلے سے گویا آپ کی خدمت کے بندھن میں بندھ چکے ہیں؛ اس لیے آپ کا سہارا بننا ہی ان کے لیے مناسب ہے۔
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds pragmatic dharma in kingship: recognize proven valor and steadfastness in battle, and assign roles accordingly. It also frames support and service as obligations arising from prior bonds—loyalty is treated as a duty that should translate into concrete assistance.
Karna is giving counsel about mobilizing support: he urges that the allies who have already arrived be sent first, and he emphasizes the Pāṇḍavas’ strength and refusal to flee. He argues that, given their long-standing obligation of service, they should function as dependable supporters in the coming conflict.