Shloka 56
राजपूजाविधानम् / Royal Reception Protocols during Āśvamedha Preparations
धृतराष्ट्र महीपालमुपतस्थे यथाविधि । अर्जुनके हितकी कामनासे कुन्तीदेवीने स्वयं ही उन दोनोंका बड़ा सत्कार किया। कुन्तीसे सत्कार पाकर महातेजस्वी राजा बश्रुवाहन महाराज धृतराष्ट्रकी सेवामें उपस्थित हुआ और उसने विधिपूर्वक उनका चरण-स्पर्श किया
vaiśampāyana uvāca | dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ mahīpālam upatasthē yathāvidhi | kuntīdevyā svayam eva tayor ubhayor mahān satkāraḥ kṛtaḥ, arjunake hitakāmanayā | kuntīsatkāraṃ prāpya mahātejā rājā babhruvāhanaḥ mahārāja dhṛtarāṣṭrasya sevāyām upasthitaḥ, sa ca vidhivat tasya caraṇau spṛṣṭavān |
Waiśampāyana berkata: Sesuai tata cara, Babhruvāhana mendekati Raja Dhṛtarāṣṭra dengan hormat dan berdiri melayani. Demi kesejahteraan Arjuna, Dewi Kuntī sendiri menyambut dan memuliakan mereka berdua dengan jamuan yang agung. Setelah menerima penghormatan Kuntī, raja Babhruvāhana yang bercahaya hadir di sisi Dhṛtarāṣṭra dan, menurut adat yang benar, menyentuh kaki beliau.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed through proper conduct: honoring guests, serving elders, and showing humility (touching the feet) even amid post-war tensions—actions that help restore social harmony and ethical order.
Kuntī, wishing for Arjuna’s good, warmly honors Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Babhruvāhana. After receiving this hospitality, Babhruvāhana respectfully approaches Dhṛtarāṣṭra, attends upon him, and performs the customary act of touching his feet.