Shloka 17
पाण्डव-वृष्णि-समागमः तथा अश्वमेध-अनुज्ञा | Reunion at the Kuru Court and Authorization of the Aśvamedha
संदिदेशाथ विदुर: पाण्डुपुत्रप्रियेप्सया । राजमार्गाश्च तत्रासन् सुमनोभिरलंकृता:
saṃdideśātha viduraḥ pāṇḍuputrapriyepsayā | rājamārgāś ca tatrāsan sumanobhir alaṅkṛtāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Alors Vidura, désireux de gagner l’affection des fils de Pāṇḍu, donna ses ordres. Les grandes voies royales y furent ornées de fleurs odorantes — signe extérieur de révérence et de bienveillance, préparant la cité à accueillir les Pāṇḍava sous d’heureux auspices et dans des observances de dévotion.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Public acts of honor—cleanliness, decoration, and worship—are presented as ethical governance: a ruler’s city should embody auspiciousness and respect, and wise ministers cultivate harmony by honoring the virtuous and strengthening communal devotion.
Vidura issues orders to prepare a ceremonial welcome for the Pāṇḍavas: the main roads are decorated with flowers (and, in the broader narrative context, devotional arrangements are made), signaling a citywide, auspicious reception.