Shloka 23
अध्याय १८४ — भैक्षविभागः, शयनविधानम्, धृष्टद्युम्नस्य निवेदनम्
Alms Distribution, Night Lodging, and Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s Report
तत्र नानाप्रकारेषु विमानेषु स्वलंकृता: । स्पर्धमानास्तदान्योन्यं निषेदु: सर्वपार्थिवा:,उन्हीं सतमहले मकानों या विमानोंमें, जो अनेक प्रकारके बने हुए थे, सब राजालोग परस्पर एक-दूसरेसे होड़ रखते हुए सुन्दर-से-सुन्दर शृंगार धारण करके बैठे
tatra nānāprakāreṣu vimāneṣu svalankṛtāḥ | spardhamānās tadānyonyaṁ niṣeduḥ sarvapārthivāḥ ||
هناك، في قصورٍ وجناحاتٍ (فيمانا) شتّى الأنواع مُحكَمة الصنع زاخرة الزينة، جلس جميع الملوك وقد تزيّنوا بأبهى حللهم، يتبارون فيما بينهم في البهاء والروعة.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how royal culture often equates honor with visible splendor; rivalry can manifest not only in battle but also in display. Ethically, it hints at the tension between inner worth and outward prestige, a recurring Mahābhārata concern.
A gathering of rulers is being described: the kings, dressed and decorated magnificently, take their seats in various ornate pavilions, each trying to outshine the others.