Shloka 236
कुरुक्षेत्रे सेनानिवेशवृत्तान्तः — Dhṛtarāṣṭra Questions Saṃjaya on the Deployed Armies
युधिष्ठटिरिण सहित उपाविशदरिंदम: । पाण्डवोंके डेरेमें बलरामजी श्रीकृष्ण आदि सब लोगोंने उन्हें प्रणाम किया। तत्पश्चात् बूढ़े राजा विराट और ट्रुपदको प्रणाम करके शत्रुदमन बलराम युधिष्ठटिरके साथ बैठे
yudhiṣṭhireṇa sahita upāviśad ariṃdamaḥ | pāṇḍavānāṃ ḍere meṃ balarāmaḥ śrīkṛṣṇa-ādayaḥ sarve lokāḥ tān praṇāmaṃ cakruḥ | tataḥ paścāt vṛddhaṃ rājānaṃ virāṭaṃ drupadaṃ ca praṇamya śatrudamanaḥ balarāmaḥ yudhiṣṭhireṇa saha niṣasāda |
Then Balarāma, the subduer of foes, sat down together with Yudhiṣṭhira. In the Pāṇḍavas’ camp, Balarāma, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and all the others offered their salutations. Thereafter, having paid respects to the aged King Virāṭa and to Drupada, Balarāma—the tamer of enemies—took his seat beside Yudhiṣṭhira, affirming the dharma of honoring elders and allies even as war drew near.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a tense political-military setting, righteous conduct is shown through humility and proper respect—especially toward elders and allied kings. The verse highlights dharmic etiquette (praṇāma) as a stabilizing moral practice before conflict.
Balarāma arrives and sits with Yudhiṣṭhira in the Pāṇḍavas’ camp. Kṛṣṇa and the others offer salutations, and Balarāma then bows to the elder King Virāṭa and to Drupada before taking his seat, marking formal recognition of leadership and alliances.