Shloka 20
सभा-पर्व, अध्याय 56: विदुरस्य द्यूत-निन्दा
Vidura’s Censure of Dicing and Warning to the Kurus
कालेनाल्पेनाथ निष्ठां गतां तां सभां रम्यां बहुरत्नां विचित्राम् । चित्रैहैमैरासनैर भ्युपेता- माचख्युस्ते तस्य राज्ञ: प्रतीता:
kālenālpennātha niṣṭhāṃ gatāṃ tāṃ sabhāṃ ramyāṃ bahuratnāṃ vicitrām | citrair haimair āsanair abhyupetām ācakhyus te tasya rājñaḥ pratītāḥ ||
After only a short time, that splendid assembly hall—variegated and adorned with many jewels, furnished with ornate golden seats—was completed. Those who were well acquainted with it then described it to that king, presenting it as a marvel worthy of his recognition and delight.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how royal power expresses itself through public institutions—here, the sabhā—where splendor and order are displayed. Ethically, it foreshadows how external magnificence can become a stage for testing restraint, judgment, and dharma in courtly life.
Vaishampayana reports that the magnificent assembly hall was completed quickly, richly decorated and furnished with golden seats, and that knowledgeable people described its finished grandeur to the king.