Shloka 22
अर्हणनिर्णयः
Decision on the Highest Honor at the Assembly
ततो भीष्मोडब्रवीद् राजन् धर्मराजं युधिष्ठिरम् । क्रियतामर्हणं राज्ञां यथाहमिति भारत
tato bhīṣmo 'bravīd rājan dharmarājaṁ yudhiṣṭhiram | kriyatām arhaṇaṁ rājñāṁ yathāham iti bhārata janamejaya ||
তাৰ পাছত ভীষ্মে ধৰ্মৰাজ যুধিষ্ঠিৰক ক’লে— “হে ৰাজন, ভৰতবংশভূষণ! ইয়ালৈ অহা ৰজাসকলক যথোচিত সন্মান-সত্কাৰ কৰা হওক—মই কোৱা মতে।”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must uphold dharma through proper conduct in the court—especially by offering appropriate honor (arhaṇa) to guests and fellow kings. Respectful reception is not mere formality; it sustains social order, acknowledges status, and reflects the king’s ethical discipline.
In the royal assembly context, Bhīṣma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira and instructs him to perform the proper ceremonial honoring of the kings who have arrived. Vaiśampāyana narrates this to Janamejaya, framing Bhīṣma’s counsel as guidance on correct royal procedure.