Shloka 18
महाध्वजपताकाश्ष क्रियन्तां सर्वतो दिश: | जलावसिक्तो विरजा: पन्थास्तस्येति चान्वशात्,“नगरमें चारों ओर विशाल थ्वजाएँ और पताकाएँ फहरा दी जायेँ और श्रीकृष्ण जिसपर आ रहे हों, उस राजपथपर जलका छिड़काव करके उसे धूलरहित बना दिया जाय' इस प्रकार राजा धृतराष्ट्रने आदेश दिया
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | mahādhvaja-patākāś ca kriyantāṃ sarvato diśaḥ | jalāvasikto virajaḥ panthās tasya iti cānvāśat |
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Let great banners and flags be set up in every direction. Let the royal road on which Śrī Kṛṣṇa is coming be sprinkled with water and made free of dust.” Thus the king issued his command.
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid looming conflict, dharma requires honoring a guest and envoy with proper respect. External acts of welcome—clean roads, public standards—reflect the ideal of righteous conduct, though the narrative also invites reflection on the gap between ceremonial propriety and inner ethical resolve.
King Dhṛtarāṣṭra issues instructions to prepare the city for Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s arrival: raise large banners and flags everywhere and sprinkle the main road with water to remove dust, signaling an official reception for Kṛṣṇa as he comes in a diplomatic role.