Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 35
Duryodhana’s Envy at Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya and the Avabhṛtha Festival
सभायां मयक्लृप्तायां क्वापि धर्मसुतोऽधिराट् । वृतोऽनुगैर्बन्धुभिश्च कृष्णेनापि स्वचक्षुषा ॥ ३४ ॥ आसीन: काञ्चने साक्षादासने मघवानिव । पारमेष्ठ्यश्रिया जुष्ट: स्तूयमानश्च वन्दिभि: ॥ ३५ ॥
sabhāyāṁ maya-kḷptāyāṁ kvāpi dharma-suto ’dhirāṭ vṛto ’nugair bandhubhiś ca kṛṣṇenāpi sva-cakṣuṣā
In the assembly hall fashioned by Maya Dānava, it happened that Emperor Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Dharma, sat like Indra upon a golden throne, surrounded by attendants and kinsmen, with Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa—his very “own eye”—also present. Adorned with splendor like that of Brahmā, the king was being praised by the bards of the court.
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that Lord Kṛṣṇa is described here as Yudhiṣṭhira’s special eye since He advised the King on what was beneficial and what was not.
FAQs
This verse depicts the righteous king (Dharma-suta/Yudhiṣṭhira) seated on a golden throne, honored with supreme regal splendor and praised by bards—showing that dharmic rulership is celebrated and supported by society.
The comparison highlights the extraordinary majesty of the scene—Yudhiṣṭhira’s throne and honor resembled Indra’s royal grandeur—yet within Kṛṣṇa’s presence, even such heavenly-like opulence is contextualized as subordinate to Bhagavān.
It encourages cultivating dignity and dharma in leadership and daily conduct, while remembering that worldly honor and splendor are meaningful when aligned with devotion and righteousness.