Shloka 20
Adhyāya 52 (Sabhā-parva): Vidura Invites Yudhiṣṭhira to Hastināpura for the Dice Match
ईषादन्तान् हेमकक्षान् पद्मवर्णान् कुथावृतान् । शैलाभान् नित्यमत्तांक्षाप्पभित: काम्यकं सर:
īṣādantān hemakakṣān padmavarṇān kuthāvṛtān | śailābhān nityamattāṁś ca āpabhitaḥ kāmyakaṁ saraḥ ||
Duryodhana dit : «(Ils offrirent) des éléphants aux défenses longues comme le manche d’une charrue, attachés par des cordes d’or, d’une teinte de lotus (pâle et rayonnante) et couverts d’étoffes fines. Ils semblaient des montagnes et paraissaient toujours en rut. (De tels présents furent apportés) près du lac Kāmyaka, tandis que les rois—patients et de noble naissance—franchissaient la porte l’un après l’autre, chacun offrant mille éléphants.»
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political power is projected through lavish gifts and spectacle. Ethically, it invites reflection on how pride and rivalry can be fueled by displays of wealth, and how external grandeur may mask inner insecurity or ambition.
Duryodhana describes (or points to) the grand procession of kings entering the gate, each presenting enormous tributes—especially thousands of richly caparisoned elephants—near the Kāmyaka lake, emphasizing the scale and splendor of the offerings.