Shloka 40
Adhyāya 33: Antarvedī-Samāgama, Arghya-Nirṇaya, and Śiśupāla’s Objection
आमन्त्रणार्थ दूतांस्त्वं प्रेषयस्वाशुगान् द्रुतम् । उपश्रुत्य वचो राज्ञ: स दूतान् प्राहिणोत् तदा,तदनन्तर राजशिरोमणि नरश्रेष्ठ धर्मराज युधिष्छिरने तुरंत ही मन्त्री सहदेवको आज्ञा दी, 'सब राजाओं तथा ब्राह्मणोंको आमन्त्रित करनेके लिये तुरंत ही शीघ्रगामी दूत भेजो।' राजाकी यह बात सुनकर सहदेवने दूतोंको भेजा और कहा--
āmantṛaṇārtha dūtāṁs tvaṁ preṣayasvāśugān drutam | upaśrutya vaco rājñaḥ sa dūtān prāhiṇot tadā ||
“For the purpose of issuing invitations, dispatch swift messengers at once.” Hearing the king’s command, Sahadeva immediately sent out the envoys.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A dhārmic ruler acts through proper procedure: public undertakings are begun by respectful invitation and consultation, honoring both political peers (kings) and spiritual authorities (brāhmaṇas).
Yudhiṣṭhira instructs that swift envoys be sent to invite others; Sahadeva, upon hearing the king’s words, promptly dispatches the messengers.