Shloka 183
Rājasūyābhiṣeka-darśana: Duryodhana’s Observation of the Consecration
कदलीमृगमोकानि कृष्णश्यामारुणानि च । काम्बोज: प्राहिणोत् तस्मै परार्घ्यानपि कम्बलान् | काम्बोजराजने काले, नीले और लाल रंगके कदलीमृगके चर्म तथा अनेक बहुमूल्य कम्बल युधिष्ठिरके लिये भेंटमें भेजे थे
kadalīmṛgamokāni kṛṣṇaśyāmāruṇāni ca | kāmbojaḥ prāhiṇot tasmai parārghyān api kambalān |
Duryodhana said: “The Kāmboja king sent to him (Yudhiṣṭhira) hides of the kadalī-mṛga in black, dark-blue, and reddish hues, and also exceedingly costly blankets.” In the rājasūya tribute narrative, this highlights how distant rulers display allegiance and seek favor through luxury gifts—an outward sign of political submission rather than an inner measure of dharma.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Material splendor and costly gifts function as political signals of allegiance and status; they do not by themselves constitute dharma. The episode invites reflection on how power can be consolidated through wealth and display, and how such displays may later fuel envy and conflict.
During the accounting of tributes brought for Yudhiṣṭhira’s imperial rite, Duryodhana enumerates what various rulers sent. Here he notes that the Kāmboja ruler dispatched prized animal hides of various colors and expensive blankets as gifts.