Shloka 10
Adhyāya 52 (Sabhā-parva): Vidura Invites Yudhiṣṭhira to Hastināpura for the Dice Match
चन्दनागुरुकाष्ठानां भारान् कालीयकस्य च । चर्मरत्नसुवर्णानां गन्धानां चैव राशय:
candana-aguru-kāṣṭhānāṁ bhārān kālīyakasya ca | carma-ratna-suvarṇānāṁ gandhānāṁ caiva rāśayaḥ, rājan |
Duryodhana dit : «Ô roi, il y avait des monceaux de tribut : des charges de bois de santal et de bois d’agaru, et aussi de kālīyaka ; avec des quantités de peaux, de gemmes, d’or et de substances odorantes. Et pourtant ces rois, venus avec de telles offrandes, furent contraints de rester debout au seuil, retenus et déshonorés.»
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how power and wealth should be handled with restraint and respect: obstructing or humiliating rightful guests and tribute-bearers violates proper royal conduct and fuels resentment—an ethical failure that contributes to larger conflict.
Duryodhana reports to the king that many rulers arrived with rich tribute—sandalwood, agaru, kālīyaka, hides, gems, gold, and perfumes—but were stopped at the gate and left standing, implying a breach of courtly etiquette and an affront to those kings.