Shloka 34
Śānti Parva, Adhyāya 52 — Bhīṣma’s Humility Before Kṛṣṇa and the Granting of Boons
ततः पुरं सुरपुरसम्मितद्युति प्रविश्य ते यदुवृषपाण्डवास्तदा । यथोचितान् भवनवरान् समाविशन् श्रमान्विता मृगपतयो गुहा इव,तदनन्तर वे यदुकुलके श्रेष्ठ वीर तथा पाण्डव सुरपुरके समान शोभा पानेवाले हस्तिनापुरमें प्रवेश करके यथायोग्य श्रेष्ठ महलोंके भीतर चले गये। ठीक उसी तरह, जैसे थके-मादे सिंह विश्रामके लिये पर्वतकी कन्दराओंमें प्रवेश करते हैं
tataḥ puraṃ surapura-sammitadyuti praviśya te yaduvṛṣa-pāṇḍavās tadā | yathocitān bhavanavarān samāviśan śramānvitā mṛgapatayo guhā iva ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then those foremost heroes of the Yadu line and the Pāṇḍavas entered the city of Hastināpura, whose splendor rivaled that of the gods’ own city. In keeping with propriety, they took up residence in the finest palaces assigned to them—like weary lions entering mountain caves to rest.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic social order: honored warriors and rulers are received and lodged according to propriety (yathocita). It also suggests that true strength is compatible with restraint and rest—after duty and travel, even the mighty seek rightful repose.
The foremost Yadu heroes together with the Pāṇḍavas enter splendid Hastināpura and proceed to the best palaces allotted to them, compared to tired lions entering mountain caves to rest.