Shloka 14
युधिष्ठिरस्य राज्याभिषेकः | Yudhiṣṭhira’s Royal Consecration
उपवेश्य महात्मानं कृष्णां च द्रुपदात्मजाम् । जुहाव पावकं धीमान् विधिमन्त्रपुरस्कृतम्,भगवान् श्रीकृष्णकी आज्ञासे पुरोहित धौम्यजीने एक वेदी बनायी जो पूर्व और उत्तर दिशाकी ओर नीची थी। उसे गोबरसे लीपकर कुशके द्वारा उसपर रेखा की। इस प्रकार वेदीका संस्कार करके सर्वतोभद्र नामक एक चौकीपर बाघम्बर एवं श्वेत वस्त्र बिछाकर उसके ऊपर महात्मा युधिष्छिर तथा द्रुपदकुमारी कृष्णाको बिठाया। उस चौकीके पाये और बैठनेके आधार बहुत मजबूत थे। सुवर्णजटित होनेके कारण वह आसन प्रज्वलित अग्निके समान प्रकाशित हो रहा था। बुद्धिमान् पुरोहितने वेदीपर अग्निको स्थापित करके उसमें विधि और मन्त्रके साथ आहुति दी
upaveśya mahātmānaṃ kṛṣṇāṃ ca drupadātmajām | juhāva pāvakaṃ dhīmān vidhimantrapuraskṛtam ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Having seated the noble-souled king and also Kṛṣṇā, the daughter of Drupada, the wise priest kindled the sacred fire and offered oblations into it, proceeding in due ritual order with the prescribed mantras. The scene underscores the Mahābhārata’s insistence that even amid political crisis and impending conflict, rightful action is to be grounded in dharma—publicly affirmed through Vedic rite, purity, and disciplined intention.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that dharmic action is not merely intention but disciplined practice: major decisions and transitions are framed through lawful ritual (vidhi) and mantra, emphasizing purity, order, and accountability before the sacred.
A formal rite is being conducted: the principal figures (the noble king and Draupadī) are seated, and the officiant performs a fire-offering (homa), kindling Agni and making oblations according to prescribed procedure and mantras.