Shloka 16

Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Reception Plan for Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa): Gifts, Procession, and Protocol

Devanagari script

विशेषतश्च वासार्थ सभां ग्रामे वृकस्थले । विदधे कौरवो राजा बहुरत्नां मनोरमाम्‌

Transliteration

viśeṣataś ca vāsārthaṃ sabhāṃ grāme vṛkasthale | vidadhe kauravo rājā bahuratnāṃ manoramām ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana sprach: Insbesondere zum Wohnen ließ der Kaurava-König im Dorf namens Vṛkasthala eine prächtige Versammlungshalle errichten—lieblich anzuschauen und reich geschmückt mit vielen Schätzen und Edelsteinen.

Word by Word

• विशेषतः: especially
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विशेषतः

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• वासार्थम्: for the purpose of dwelling
• वासार्थम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासार्थ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• सभाम्: assembly-hall
• सभाम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सभा
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• ग्रामे: in the village
• ग्रामे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्राम
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• वृकस्थले: in Vṛkasthala (place-name)
• वृकस्थले: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृकस्थल
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• विदधे: made; constructed; arranged
• Type: Verb
• Root: धा
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• कौरवः: the Kaurava (Duryodhana)
• कौरवः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौरव
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• राजा: king
• राजा: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• बहुरत्नाम्: rich in many gems
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहुरत्न
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• मनोरमाम्: charming; delightful
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोरम
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Kaurava king (Duryodhana)
• Vṛkasthala (village)
• sabhā (assembly-hall/residence hall)
• ratna (jewels/treasures)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how rulers project authority through grand constructions and wealth. In the ethical frame of the Mahābhārata, such splendor can signal political ambition and attachment, inviting reflection on whether power is being used in service of dharma or merely for display and dominance.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes a specific royal arrangement: the Kaurava king (understood as Duryodhana) has a beautiful, jewel-rich hall/residence prepared at the village of Vṛkasthala, indicating organized preparations and the assertion of royal presence in the lead-up to major events.