Shloka 20
द्रौपदी-वरण-प्रत्ययः — Intelligence Reports and the Kaurava Court’s Response
अशथोक्तवाक्यं हि पुरोहितं स्थितं ततो विनीतं समुदीक्ष्य राजा,जब विनयशील पुरोहितजी यह बात कह चुके, तब राजा युधिष्ठिरने उनकी ओर देखकर पास बैठे हुए भीमसेनको यह आज्ञा दी कि “इन्हें पाद्य और अर्घ्य समर्पित करो। ये महाराज ट्रुपदके माननीय पुरोहित हैं। अतः इनका हमें विशेष आदर-सत्कार करना चाहिये”
aśathoktavākyaṃ hi purohitaṃ sthitaṃ tato vinītaṃ samudīkṣya rājā |
After the priest—standing before him—had spoken his respectful and truthful words, the king (Yudhiṣṭhira), seeing his humility, looked toward Bhīmasena seated nearby and instructed him: “Offer him water for washing the feet and the arghya. He is the honored priest of King Drupada; therefore we must receive him with special reverence and hospitality.”
धृष्टह्ुम्न उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights rāja-dharma and guest-hospitality: a worthy person—especially a priest connected with an honored ally—should be received with humility and formal respect (pādya and arghya), showing that ethical conduct is expressed through courteous ritual action.
A priest, having spoken respectfully, stands before the king. The king (contextually Yudhiṣṭhira) notices the priest’s humility and directs Bhīma to perform the proper reception by offering pādya and arghya, emphasizing the priest’s esteemed connection to King Drupada.