Shloka 26
Droṇa–Vidura–Gāndhārī Counsel in the Royal Assembly (धर्मार्थयुक्ता सभा-उपदेश-प्रकरणम्)
प्रजा ऊचु: उपक्षीणा: प्रजा: सर्वा राजा भव भवाय नः । ईती: प्रणुद भद्रं ते शान्तनो: कुलवर्धन
prajā ūcuḥ—upakṣīṇāḥ prajāḥ sarvā rājā bhava bhavāya naḥ | ītīḥ praṇuda bhadraṃ te śāntanoḥ kulavardhana ||
百姓说道：“众民都在衰耗凋敝。为我等福祉，请你登基为王。驱逐诸般灾厄——愿吉祥归于你，噢，增盛善檀奴（Śāntanu）家族者。”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma: a king’s legitimacy is tied to protecting and sustaining the people. When society is afflicted by calamities, the ruler is urged to accept responsibility and actively remove causes of suffering, making public welfare the ethical purpose of sovereignty.
The subjects, weakened by widespread distress, appeal to a royal figure addressed as the enhancer of Śāntanu’s lineage. They implore him to accept kingship for their prosperity and to ward off ‘ītis’—public calamities such as drought and related afflictions.