Shloka 103
राजपूजाविधानम् / Royal Reception Protocols during Āśvamedha Preparations
पृथक् पृथक् च ते चैनं मानार्थाभ्यामयोजयन् । तत्पश्चात् धर्मराज युधिष्ठिर, भीमसेन, अर्जुन, नकुल और सहदेवने अलग-अलग बभ्रुवाहनका सत्कार करके उसे बहुत धन दिया
pṛthak pṛthak ca te cainaṃ mānārthābhyām ayojayan | tatpaścāt dharmarāja yudhiṣṭhiraḥ bhīmasenaḥ arjunaḥ nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca pṛthak pṛthak babhruvāhanaṃ satkṛtvā taṃ bahu-dhanair ayojayan |
Vaiśampāyana said: Then each of them, one by one, honored him with respect and gifts. After that, King Yudhiṣṭhira—together with Bhīmasena, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva—received Babhruvāhana separately with due hospitality and presented him with abundant wealth. The episode underscores the dharmic duty of honoring a worthy guest and strengthening bonds through generosity rather than rivalry.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed through satkāra (proper hospitality): honoring a worthy person with respect and appropriate gifts. Ethical kingship is shown not merely by power but by generosity, courtesy, and the maintenance of harmonious relationships.
After the relevant events of the Aśvamedha context, the Pāṇḍavas—led by Yudhiṣṭhira—honor Babhruvāhana individually. Each offers him respect and substantial wealth, signaling acceptance, goodwill, and the restoration/strengthening of ties.