Shloka 6
Yakṣa-saṃvāda: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Interrogation at the Guarded Water
तस्यार्घ्यमासनं चैव गां चावेद्य स धर्मवित् | किमागमनमित्येवं राजा राजानमब्रवीत्,राजा अश्वपतिने राजर्षि द्युमत्सेनकी यथायोग्य पूजा की और वाणीको संयममें रखकर उन्होंने उनके समक्ष अपना परिचय दिया। तब धर्मज्ञ राजा टझुमत्सेनने मद्रराज अश्वपतिको अर्ध्य, आसन और गौ निवेदन करके उनसे पूछा--“किस उद्देश्यसे आपका यहाँ शुभागमन हुआ है?”
tasyārghyam āsanaṃ caiva gāṃ cāvedya sa dharmavit | kim āgamanam ity evaṃ rājā rājānam abravīt ||
Having duly offered him the ceremonial water of welcome, a seat, and a cow as a gift, that king—versed in dharma—addressed the other king and asked: “For what purpose have you come here?”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic hospitality: a ruler should first honor a guest—especially a fellow king—with appropriate offerings (arghya, seat, and a cow), and only then inquire about the purpose of the visit. Ethical conduct is shown through propriety, generosity, and restrained speech.
Mārkaṇḍeya narrates that King Dyumatsena receives King Aśvapati with formal honors—offering arghya, a seat, and a cow—and then asks him why he has come. It is a courteous royal audience establishing respect before discussion.