Shloka 26
विराटेन तु मत्स्येन बल्यर्थ हेममालिनाम् । कुण्जराणां सहस्रे द्वे मत्तानां समुपाहते,मत्स्यदेशके राजा विराटने सुवर्णमालाओंसे विभूषित दो हजार मतवाले हाथी उपहारके रूपमें दिये
virāṭena tu matsyena balyarthe hemamālinām | kuñjarāṇāṃ sahasre dve mattānāṃ samupāhate ||
Duryodhana said: “But Virāṭa, the king of the Matsya country, presented as tribute two thousand rutting elephants, adorned with garlands of gold.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how material tribute functions as a political language in royal society—projecting power, securing favor, and competing for status. Ethically, it invites reflection on how external displays of wealth can intensify rivalry and fuel courtly ambition.
Duryodhana is describing (or enumerating) the tributes/gifts offered by various kings. Here he notes that Virāṭa of Matsya presented two thousand musth elephants decorated with golden garlands as an offering.