Shloka 21
अलम्बुस-वधः
The Neutralization of Alambusa
पूर्णान्यक्षतपात्राणि रुचकं रोचनास्तथा । स्वलंकृता: शुभा: कन्या दधिसर्पिर्मधूदकम्,तत्पश्चात् सोनेके बने हुए स्वस्तिक, सिकोरे, बन्द मुहवाले अर्घपात्र, माला, जलसे भरे हुए कलश, प्रज्वलित अग्नि, अक्षतसे भरे हुए पूर्णपात्र, बिजौरा नीबू, गोरोचन, आभूषणोंसे विभूषित सुन्दरी कन्याएँ, दही, घी, मधु, जल, मांगलिक पक्षी तथा अन्यान्य भी जो प्रशस्त वस्तुएँ हैं, उन सबको देखकर और उनमेंसे कुछका स्पर्श करके कुन्तीनन्दन युधिष्ठिरने बाहरी ड्योढीमें प्रवेश किया
sañjaya uvāca | pūrṇāny akṣata-pātrāṇi rucakaṃ rocanās tathā | su-alaṅkṛtāḥ śubhāḥ kanyā dadhi-sarpir-madhūdakam |
Sanjaya said: “There were vessels filled with unbroken grains, auspicious articles such as rucaka and gorocanā, and well-adorned, auspicious maidens bearing curd, ghee, honey, and water. Seeing these favorable signs and touching some of them as a blessing, Kuntī’s son Yudhiṣṭhira entered the outer gateway.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid the violence and uncertainty of war, the epic highlights dharmic conduct through auspicious, orderly welcome-rites. The scene underscores reverence for tradition, purity, and the ethical ideal that a righteous king proceeds with humility—seeking blessings and good omens rather than arrogance.
Sanjaya describes a ceremonial reception: vessels filled with akṣata and other auspicious substances, along with adorned maidens carrying curd, ghee, honey, and water. Yudhiṣṭhira observes these favorable signs, touches some as a blessing, and then enters the outer gateway.