Shloka 22
ततो भीष्मोडब्रवीद् राजन् धर्मराजं युधिष्ठिरम् । क्रियतामर्हणं राज्ञां यथाहमिति भारत,जनमेजय! तत्पश्चात् भीष्मजीने धर्मराज युधिष्ठिससे कहा--“भरतकुलभूषण युधिष्ठिर! अब तुम यहाँ पधारे हुए राजाओंका यथायोग्य सत्कार करो”
tato bhīṣmo 'bravīd rājan dharmarājaṁ yudhiṣṭhiram | kriyatām arhaṇaṁ rājñāṁ yathāham iti bhārata janamejaya ||
Then Bhīṣma said to King Yudhiṣṭhira, the lord of dharma: “O King, let due honors be offered to the assembled monarchs, as I advise.” Thus, O descendant of Bharata—O Janamejaya—Bhīṣma urges Yudhiṣṭhira to uphold royal propriety by receiving and honoring the visiting kings in a manner befitting their rank.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must uphold dharma through proper conduct in the court—especially by offering appropriate honor (arhaṇa) to guests and fellow kings. Respectful reception is not mere formality; it sustains social order, acknowledges status, and reflects the king’s ethical discipline.
In the royal assembly context, Bhīṣma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira and instructs him to perform the proper ceremonial honoring of the kings who have arrived. Vaiśampāyana narrates this to Janamejaya, framing Bhīṣma’s counsel as guidance on correct royal procedure.