Shloka 1
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Reception Plan for Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa): Gifts, Procession, and Protocol
2: बछ। अकाल पञ्चाशीतितमोब् ध्याय: दुर्योधनका धृतराष्ट्र आदिकी अनुमतिसे श्रीकृष्णके स्वागत-सत्कारके लिये मार्गमें विश्रामस्थान बनवाना वैशम्पायन उवाच तथा दूतै: समाज्ञाय प्रयान्तं मधुसूदनम् । धृतराष्ट्रोडब्रवीद् भीष्ममर्चयित्वा महाभुजम्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! दूतोंके द्वारा भगवान् मधुसूदनके आगमनका समाचार जानकर धृतराष्ट्रके शरीरमें रोमांच हो आया। उन्होंने महाबाहु भीष्म, द्रोण, संजय तथा परम बुद्धिमान् विदुरका यथावत् सत्कार करके मन्त्रियोंसहित दुर्योधनसे इस प्रकार कहा--
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tathā dūtaiḥ samājñāya prayāntaṃ madhusūdanam | dhṛtarāṣṭro 'bravīd bhīṣmam arcayitvā mahābhujam |
Vaiśampāyana said: Having learned through messengers that Madhusūdana (Kṛṣṇa) was on his way, Dhṛtarāṣṭra—after duly honoring the mighty-armed Bhīṣma—spoke. The scene signals the court’s outward readiness to receive Kṛṣṇa with respect, even as the moral crisis of the coming war presses upon them.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical expectation that even amid political conflict, rulers must uphold proper respect and hospitality—especially toward elders like Bhīṣma and toward a revered envoy like Kṛṣṇa—since outward protocol reflects (and tests) inner commitment to dharma.
Messengers inform the Kuru court that Kṛṣṇa is approaching. Dhṛtarāṣṭra, after honoring Bhīṣma, begins to address him—setting up the court’s preparations to receive Kṛṣṇa and the ensuing diplomatic exchanges meant to avert war.