Shloka 1
ऑफ -ण क्र पज्चत्रिशो5 ध्याय: राजसूययज्ञका वर्णन वैशम्पायन उवाच पितामहं गुरुं चैव प्रत्युद्गम्य युधिष्ठिर: । अभिवाद्य ततो राजन्निदं वचनमत्रवीत्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! पितामह भीष्म तथा गुरु द्रोणाचार्य आदिकी अगवानी करके युधिष्ठिरने उनके चरणोंमें प्रणाम किया और भीष्म, द्रोण, कृप, अश्व॒त्थामा, दुर्योधन और विविंशतिसे कहा--“'इस यज्ञमें आपलोग सब प्रकारसे मुझपर अनुग्रह करें
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: pitāmahaṁ guruṁ caiva pratyudgamya yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | abhivādya tato rājan idaṁ vacanam abravīt |
Vaiśampāyana said: O King Janamejaya, Yudhiṣṭhira went forth to receive the grandsire Bhīṣma and his teacher Droṇa. Having bowed to them with reverence, he spoke these words—seeking their favor and support for the rite, and asking the elders to grant him their full goodwill in the coming Rājasūya sacrifice. The scene teaches that even royal power must rest on humility, reverence for elders, and the assent of the wise.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate rule and great undertakings (like the Rājasūya) should be preceded by humility and reverence: the king seeks the blessings and guidance of elders and teachers, showing that authority is ethically anchored in dharma and deference to wisdom.
As the Rājasūya sacrifice is being prepared, Yudhiṣṭhira goes out to welcome Bhīṣma and Droṇa, salutes them, and begins to address them—requesting their supportive goodwill for the sacrifice.