Shloka 26
Draupadī’s Grief at Seeing the Heroes in Disguise (द्रौपदी-विषादः / वेष-परिभव-वर्णनम्)
इन्द्रप्रस्थे निवसत: समये यस्य पार्थिवा: । आसन् बलिभूृत: सर्वे सोउ्द्यान्यैर्भूतिमिच्छति,इन्द्रप्रस्थमें रहते समय जिन्हें सब राजा भेंट देते थे, वे ही आज दूसरोंसे अपने भरण- पोषणके लिये धन पानेकी इच्छा रखते हैं
indraprasthe nivasataḥ samaye yasya pārthivāḥ | āsan balibhṛtaḥ sarve so 'dya anyair bhūtim icchati ||
毗舍波耶那说道：“当他居于因陀罗普罗萨他之时，诸王皆来献纳贡赋。如今此人却因时势所迫而衰落，反要向他人求取衣食与扶助。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Worldly power and prosperity are unstable; one who once received tribute may later depend on others. The verse underscores humility and endurance in adversity, reminding that status is not a permanent measure of worth.
The narrator highlights a stark contrast: the same person who formerly lived in royal splendor at Indraprastha—receiving tribute from many kings—has now come to a condition where he seeks support from others for basic maintenance.