Jarāsandha–Bhīma Niyuddha-prastāvaḥ
Commencement of the Regulated Duel
एवं च मामुपास्थाय कस्माच्च विधिनाहणाम् | प्रतीतां नानुगृह्नीत कार्य कि वास्मदागमे,“इस प्रकार मेरे यहाँ उपस्थित हो मेरे द्वारा विधिपूर्वक अर्पित की हुई इस पूजाको आपलोग ग्रहण क्यों नहीं करते हैं? फिर मेरे यहाँ आनेका प्रयोजन ही क्या है?”
evaṃ ca mām upāsthāya kasmāc ca vidhinā hānām | pratītāṃ nānugṛhṇīta kāryaṃ kiṃ vās madāgame ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “After coming and standing before me in this manner, why do you not accept the worship that I have duly offered according to proper rite? If you will not receive it, then what purpose is served by your coming to my house at all?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse underscores the dharma of hospitality and mutual respect: when honor is offered according to proper rites, refusing it without cause undermines social and ethical order and renders the visit purposeless.
A host (as narrated by Vaiśaṃpāyana) questions visiting parties who have approached him but decline the formal worship/ सम्मान he has prepared and offered; he challenges their refusal and asks why they came if they will not accept customary reception.