Shloka 16

Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Reception Plan for Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa): Gifts, Procession, and Protocol

Devanagari script

विशेषतश्च वासार्थ सभां ग्रामे वृकस्थले । विदधे कौरवो राजा बहुरत्नां मनोरमाम्‌,विशेषतः वृकस्थल नामक ग्राममें निवास करनेके लिये कुरुराज दुर्योधनने जो विश्रामस्थान बनवाया था, वह बड़ा मनोरम तथा प्रचुर रत्नराशिसे सम्पन्न था

Transliteration

viśeṣataś ca vāsārthaṃ sabhāṃ grāme vṛkasthale | vidadhe kauravo rājā bahuratnāṃ manoramām ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: In particular, for the purpose of residence, the Kaurava king had a splendid assembly-hall constructed in the village called Vṛkasthala—charming to behold and richly adorned with many treasures and gems.

Word by Word

विशेषतःespecially

चand

वासार्थम्for the purpose of dwelling

सभाम्assembly-hall

ग्रामेin the village

वृकस्थलेin Vṛkasthala (place-name)

विदधेmade; constructed; arranged

कौरवःthe Kaurava (Duryodhana)

राजाking

बहुरत्नाम्rich in many gems

मनोरमाम्charming; delightful

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Kaurava king (Duryodhana)

Vṛkasthala (village)

sabhā (assembly-hall/residence hall)

ratna (jewels/treasures)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how rulers project authority through grand constructions and wealth. In the ethical frame of the Mahābhārata, such splendor can signal political ambition and attachment, inviting reflection on whether power is being used in service of dharma or merely for display and dominance.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes a specific royal arrangement: the Kaurava king (understood as Duryodhana) has a beautiful, jewel-rich hall/residence prepared at the village of Vṛkasthala, indicating organized preparations and the assertion of royal presence in the lead-up to major events.