Shloka 6
Duryodhana’s Envy at Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya and the Avabhṛtha Festival
भीमो महानसाध्यक्षो धनाध्यक्ष: सुयोधन: । सहदेवस्तु पूजायां नकुलो द्रव्यसाधने ॥ ४ ॥ गुरुशुश्रूषणे जिष्णु: कृष्ण: पादावनेजने । परिवेषणे द्रुपदजा कर्णो दाने महामना: ॥ ५ ॥ युयुधानो विकर्णश्च हार्दिक्यो विदुरादय: । बाह्लीकपुत्रा भूर्याद्या ये च सन्तर्दनादय: ॥ ६ ॥ निरूपिता महायज्ञे नानाकर्मसु ते तदा । प्रवर्तन्ते स्म राजेन्द्र राज्ञ: प्रियचिकीर्षव: ॥ ७ ॥
bhīmo mahānasādhyakṣo dhanādhyakṣaḥ suyodhanaḥ sahadevas tu pūjāyāṁ nakulo dravya-sādhane
Bhīma supervised the kitchen; Suyodhana (Duryodhana) managed the treasury; Sahadeva honored the arriving guests; and Nakula procured the needed items. Arjuna served the venerable elders; Śrī Kṛṣṇa washed everyone’s feet; Draupadī distributed the food; and the magnanimous Karṇa gave out the gifts. Yuyudhāna, Vikarṇa, Hārdikya, Vidura, Bhūriśravā and other sons of Bāhlīka, Santardana, and many others were likewise assigned various duties in that great sacrifice. O best of kings, they did so eager to please Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira.
FAQs
This verse highlights Krishna’s deliberate humility: although Supreme, He accepted the service of washing the feet of honored guests, teaching that true greatness in bhakti is expressed through seva.
Bhima managed the kitchen, Arjuna served elders and teachers, Draupadi distributed food, and Karna handled charitable giving—each engaged in a specific service to support the sacrifice.
By embracing service-minded cooperation—taking responsibility, honoring teachers and elders, and practicing humility—one can turn work and community duties into bhakti through the intention to please the Lord and His devotees.