Shloka 33
दानपात्रापात्र-निर्णयः / Determining Worthy Gifts, Recipients, and Permissible Food
मन्त्रैर भ्यर्चितं पुण्यै: स्तूयमान श्च॒ बन्दिभि: | आरुरोह यथा देव: सोमो5मृतमयं रथम्
mantrair abhyarcitaṃ puṇyaiḥ stūyamānaś ca bandibhiḥ | āruroha yathā devaḥ somo 'mṛtamayaṃ ratham ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Honoured with sacred, auspicious mantras and praised aloud by the court-bards, Yudhiṣṭhira mounted his newly prepared, radiant chariot—just as the god Soma (the Moon) ascends his nectar-like car. The scene frames his entry as dharmic: public worship, reverence for the learned, and a consecrated royal procession that treats sovereignty as moral and ritual responsibility, not mere power.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate rule is portrayed as dharmic stewardship: the king’s authority is sanctified through auspicious rites, respect for sacred speech (mantra), and public accountability expressed through praise that highlights virtues rather than force.
As the procession proceeds, the (newly prepared and consecrated) chariot is worshipped with mantras; bards sing praises; and the king mounts the chariot, likened to Soma ascending his ambrosial car—marking a ceremonially righteous entry into civic life.