Shloka 7
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
ततो दुर्योधन: श्रुत्वा महात्मानं महारथम् । उपायान्तमभिद्रुत्य स्वयमानर्च भारत
tato duryodhanaḥ śrutvā mahātmānaṃ mahāratham | upayāntam abhidrutya svayam ānarca bhārata ||
Alors Duryodhana, ayant appris que le roi Śalya — noble d’âme et grand guerrier de char — approchait, se hâta d’aller à sa rencontre et, sur la route, commença lui-même à l’honorer et à le servir. Sur le plan éthique, la scène montre une hospitalité stratégique : révérence et services offerts en apparence afin de s’assurer un allié puissant pour la guerre imminente.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how acts that resemble dharmic hospitality and reverence can be employed as political instruments. It invites reflection on intention (bhāva) behind conduct: service and honor may be ethically elevated when sincere, but morally ambiguous when primarily aimed at gaining advantage in conflict.
Hearing that the powerful warrior-king Śalya is approaching, Duryodhana rushes out to meet him and begins honoring him personally on the road, initiating a reception meant to win Śalya’s favor and secure his support for the Kauravas.