Shloka 18
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Reception Plan for Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa): Gifts, Procession, and Protocol
ता: सभा: केशव: सर्वा रत्नानि विविधानि च | असमीक्ष्यैव दाशा्ह उपायात् कुरुसझ तत्
tāḥ sabhāḥ keśavaḥ sarvā ratnāni vividhāni ca | asamīkṣyaiva dāśārha upayāt kurusaṃjñam tat ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana dijo: Keśava (Kṛṣṇa), el Dāśārha, sin siquiera dirigir la mirada a aquellos numerosos salones de reposo ni a las diversas gemas preciosas, prosiguió su marcha hacia el lugar conocido como la morada de los Kurus: Hastināpura. El relato subraya su disciplinada indiferencia ante el lujo y la ostentación, pues mantiene fija la atención en el grave deber de su misión entre los Kurus.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights vairāgya (detachment) and focus on dharma: Kṛṣṇa ignores opulence and keeps his attention on the ethical seriousness of his purpose among the Kurus, modeling self-mastery amid temptation.
As Kṛṣṇa approaches the Kuru seat (Hastināpura) on his mission, he does not even look at the splendid halls and jewels presented or visible along the way; he proceeds directly toward the Kaurava residence.