Shloka 43
आसन च ददौ तस्मै पर्यपृच्छदनामयम् । भरतनन्दन! हलधरको देखते ही राजा युधिष्ठिर उठकर खड़े हो गये और बड़े प्रेमसे विधिपूर्वक उनकी पूजा करके उन्हें बैठनेके लिये उन्होंने आसन दिया तथा उनके स्वास्थ्यका समाचार पूछा,दैत्याविव बलोन्मत्तौ रेजतुस्तौ नरोत्तमौ । दोनों अत्यन्त हर्ष और उत्साहमें भरे थे। दोनों ही बड़े सम्मानित वीर थे। मनुष्योंमें श्रेष्ठ वे दुर्योधन और भीमसेन हींसते हुए दो अच्छे घोड़ों, चिग्घाड़ते हुए दो गजराजों और हँकड़ते हुए दो साँड़ों तथा बलसे उन्मत्त हुए दो दैत्योंके समान शोभा पाते थे || ४१-४२ ६ || ततो दुर्योधनो राजन्निदमाह युधिष्ठिरम्
sañjaya uvāca | āsanaṃ ca dadau tasmai paryapṛcchad anāmayam |
Sanjaya said: Yudhishthira, the son of Bharata, rose at once on seeing Haladhara (Balarama). With affectionate reverence he duly honored him, offered him a seat, and inquired after his well-being—an act that upholds dharma through hospitality, respect for elders, and restraint even amid the tensions of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the midst of conflict, dharma is maintained through proper conduct: honoring a revered guest, offering a seat, and asking after health. The verse highlights that ethical kingship includes courtesy, reverence, and self-control, not merely victory in war.
Balarama (Haladhara) arrives, and Yudhishthira immediately stands up, performs respectful reception, offers him a seat, and asks about his well-being. It sets a tone of formal hospitality and deference to a senior, powerful figure.