Shloka 1
Adhyāya 20 — Rājadharma Argument for Paternal Inheritance and Timely Conciliation
#5०3८5>> ब । #/्>स - 'खड््ग' दुधारी तलवारको कहते हैं। (संजययानपर्व) विंशो< ध्याय: ट्रुपदके पुरोहितका कौरवसभामें भाषण वैशम्पायन उवाच स च कौरव्यमासाद्य द्रुपदस्य पुरोहित: । सत्कृतो धृतराष्ट्रेण भीष्मेण विदुरेण च
vaiśampāyana uvāca | sa ca kauravyam āsādya drupadasya purohitaḥ | satkṛto dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa bhīṣmeṇa vidureṇa ca |
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Drupada’s household priest arrived at the court of the Kaurava king. There he was received with due honor by King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, as well as by Bhīṣma and Vidura. The scene underscores a courtly ethic: even amid rising hostility, envoys and priests are to be treated with respect, preserving the forms of dharma and diplomacy before war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when conflict is imminent, dharma requires maintaining respectful diplomatic and social norms—especially toward priests, messengers, and guests—so that dialogue and righteous conduct remain possible.
Drupada’s priest comes to the Kaurava ruler’s court and is formally honored by Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Bhīṣma, and Vidura, setting the stage for a speech or message in the Kaurava assembly.