अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
ततो दुर्योधन: श्रुत्वा महात्मानं महारथम् । उपायान्तमभिद्रुत्य स्वयमानर्च भारत,भरतनन्दन! उन्हीं दिनों दुर्योधनने महारथी एवं महामना राजा शल्यका आगमन सुनकर स्वयं आगे बढ़कर (मार्गमें ही) उनका सेवा-सत्कार प्रारम्भ कर दिया
tato duryodhanaḥ śrutvā mahātmānaṃ mahāratham | upayāntam abhidrutya svayam ānarca bhārata ||
তেতিয়া, হে ভাৰতনন্দন! মহাত্মা মহাৰথী ৰজা শল্য আহি আছে বুলি শুনি দুঃশাসন— (দুর্যোধন) নিজে তৎক্ষণাৎ আগবাঢ়ি গৈ পথতেই তেওঁৰ সেৱা-সত্কাৰ আৰম্ভ কৰিলে।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights how acts that resemble dharmic hospitality and reverence can be employed as political instruments. It invites reflection on intention (bhāva) behind conduct: service and honor may be ethically elevated when sincere, but morally ambiguous when primarily aimed at gaining advantage in conflict.
Hearing that the powerful warrior-king Śalya is approaching, Duryodhana rushes out to meet him and begins honoring him personally on the road, initiating a reception meant to win Śalya’s favor and secure his support for the Kauravas.