Shloka 38

उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ९३: कृष्णस्य धृतराष्ट्रोपदेशः

Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel to Dhṛtarāṣṭra in the Assembly

Devanagari script

आसन सर्वतोभद्रं जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृतम्‌ । कृष्णार्थे कल्पितं तत्र धृतराष्ट्रस्य शासनात्‌,राजा धृतराष्ट्रकी आज्ञासे वहाँ भगवान्‌ श्रीकृष्णके लिये सुवर्णभूषित सर्वतोभद्र नामक सिंहासन रखा गया था

Transliteration

āsanaṁ sarvatobhadraṁ jāmbūnadapariṣkṛtam | kṛṣṇārthe kalpitaṁ tatra dhṛtarāṣṭrasya śāsanāt ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: By King Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s command, a throne called “Sarvatobhadra,” adorned with refined gold, was arranged there for Kṛṣṇa. The scene underscores the formal honor shown to a revered envoy, even amid impending conflict, where outward respect and inner intention may diverge.

Word by Word

आसनम्seat, throne

सर्वतोभद्रम्auspicious on all sides (a kind of throne/seat)

जाम्बूनद-परिष्कृतम्adorned/embellished with Jāmbūnada-gold

कृष्ण-अर्थेfor Krishna (for the sake of Krishna)

कल्पितम्was arranged/prepared

तत्रthere

धृतराष्ट्रस्यof Dhṛtarāṣṭra

शासनात्by/at the command (from the order)

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Dhṛtarāṣṭra

Kṛṣṇa

Sarvatobhadra throne

Jāmbūnada (gold)

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?

Even in times of hostility, dharma requires proper conduct—such as honoring a guest or envoy. The verse highlights how external observance of respect (a splendid throne) can coexist with political tension, inviting reflection on sincerity versus mere protocol.

What is happening in the narrative?

As Kṛṣṇa arrives in the Kuru court on a diplomatic mission, Dhṛtarāṣṭra orders that an ornate, gold-adorned throne named Sarvatobhadra be set up for him, marking a formal reception within the royal assembly.