Shloka 12
Draupadī’s Exhortation on Rājadharma and Daṇḍa (द्रौपद्याः राजधर्मोपदेशः)
इत्येतानेवमुक्त्वा त्वं स्वयं धर्मभूतां वर । कथमपद्य पुनर्वीर विनिहंसि मनांसि न:
iti etān evam uktvā tvaṃ svayaṃ dharmabhūtāṃ vara | katham āpadya punar vīra vinihaṃsi manāṃsi naḥ ||
毗舍摩波耶那说：“诸持法者之最胜者啊，你自己曾以此等言辞对兄弟们说，坚固其志；而今，勇士啊，你为何心念一转，又再度碾碎我们的心？你昔日以胜利之景、杜尔约陀那之败、以及正当享用与祭祀奉事之复兴来安慰他们；为何如今反而摧折他们的精神？”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Words that once upheld dharma and courage carry moral responsibility: a leader who previously inspired others toward righteous endurance should not later undermine their hearts through sudden discouragement.
The speaker recalls earlier encouragement given to the brothers—promising victory and the return to rightful life—and questions why the same person now reverses course and breaks their morale.