Shloka 46
दानपात्रापात्र-निर्णयः / Determining Worthy Gifts, Recipients, and Permissible Food
पाण्डुरेण च माल्येन पताकाभिश्न मेदिनी । संस्कृतो राजमार्गो5 भूद्धूपनैश्व प्रधूषित:
pāṇḍureṇa ca mālyena patākābhiś ca medinī | saṃskṛto rājamārgo ’bhūd dhūpanaiś ca pradhūṣitaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The ground of the city shone with wondrous beauty, adorned with pale garlands and banners. The royal road had been carefully swept and made ready, and it was further perfumed as fragrant incense-smoke was spread—an outward sign of orderly rule and reverent welcome, where public space is purified and beautified in keeping with dharma and civic propriety.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic kingship expressed through public order and auspicious conduct: communal spaces are cleaned, beautified, and ritually purified to honor guests and mark significant occasions, reflecting respect, discipline, and reverence in civic life.
The scene describes a city (or public thoroughfare) being ceremonially prepared: the ground is decorated with pale garlands and banners, the main royal road is swept and arranged, and incense is used to spread fragrance—signaling a formal reception or auspicious public event.