Shloka 7
Śānti-parva Adhyāya 44 — Post-War Reassignment of Residences and Restorative Consolation (शान्तिपर्व अध्याय ४४)
धृतराष्ट्राभ्यनुज्ञातं भ्रात्रा दत्तं वृकोदर: । प्रतिपेदे महाबाहुर्मन्दिरं मघवानिव
dhṛtarāṣṭrābhyanujñātaṃ bhrātrā dattaṃ vṛkodaraḥ | pratipede mahābāhur mandiraṃ maghavān iva ||
Vaiśampāyana said: With Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s permission, and granted it by his brother, the mighty-armed Bhīma (Vṛkodara) took possession of the palace, entering it like Maghavān (Indra) entering his own celestial abode. The episode underscores that even in the midst of rivalry, rightful authority and consent are observed, and that royal gifts carry ethical weight when conferred through legitimate sanction.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic procedure in governance: possession and enjoyment of royal property should follow legitimate authorization (Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s consent) and proper bestowal (the brother’s grant). Power is framed as ethically bounded by rightful sanction, not mere force.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Bhīma (Vṛkodara), having received permission from Dhṛtarāṣṭra and the palace as a grant from his brother (contextually Yudhiṣṭhira), takes possession of the residence and enters it with splendor, compared to Indra entering his own palace.