Shloka 21
Indra-vijaya Upākhyāna and Śalya’s Assurance to Yudhiṣṭhira (इन्द्रविजयोपाख्यानम् — शल्ययुधिष्ठिरसंवादः)
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमाश्चवासितो राजा शल्येन भरतर्षभ । पूजयामास विधिवच्छल्यं धर्मभूतां वर:
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
evam āśvāsito rājā śalyena bharatarṣabha |
pūjayāmāsa vidhivac chalyam dharmabhūtāṁ varaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Thus reassured by Śalya, O bull among the Bharatas, the king—foremost among the righteous—honoured Śalya in due form.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic kingship: even in tense political and military circumstances, one should uphold proper etiquette and righteous conduct—honouring others duly and following prescribed forms of respect.
After Śalya reassures the king (Yudhiṣṭhira), Yudhiṣṭhira responds by formally honouring Śalya according to custom, reflecting the maintenance of decorum and duty within the unfolding preparations for war.