Shloka 36
Adhyāya 52 (Sabhā-parva): Vidura Invites Yudhiṣṭhira to Hastināpura for the Dice Match
शतशक्ष कुथांस्तत्र सिंहला: समुपाहरन् । सिंहलदेशके क्षत्रियोंने समुद्रका सारभूत वैदूर्य, मोतियोंके ढेर तथा हाथियोंके सैकड़ों झूल अर्पित किये ।।
śataśaḥ śaṅkhān tatra siṃhalāḥ samupāharan | siṃhaladeśakāḥ kṣatriyāḥ samudrasārabhūtaṃ vaidūryaṃ muktāpuñjāṃś ca hastināṃ ca śataśo jhūlān arpitavantaḥ || saṃvṛtā maṇicīraiḥ tu śyāmās tāmrāntalocanāḥ | upājahruḥ viśaś caiva śūdrāḥ śuśrūṣavas tathā ||
Duryodhana berkata: “Dari Siṃhala mereka membawa, beratus-ratus, sangkha, kuthā, dan aneka persembahan lainnya. Para Kṣatriya dari negeri Siṃhala mempersembahkan harta yang seakan diperas dari sari samudra—permata vaidūrya, timbunan mutiara, serta ratusan perlengkapan jhūl bagi gajah. Berselimut busana bertatah permata, berkulit gelap dengan sudut mata kemerahan, mereka berdiri tertahan di gerbang bersama hadiah-hadiah itu. Para Brahmana, Kṣatriya yang ditaklukkan, Vaiśya, dan Śūdra yang ingin mengabdi pun, dengan kegembiraan yang tampak di luar, turut mempersembahkan pemberian mereka.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how political power expresses itself through tribute and ceremonial giving: wealth, exotic goods, and public deference become instruments of legitimacy. Ethically, it invites reflection on the difference between genuine respect and compliance produced by conquest or fear.
In the royal assembly context, Duryodhana describes delegations—especially from Siṃhala—arriving with lavish gifts such as gems, pearls, and elephant caparisons. Various social groups are depicted presenting offerings, while the Siṃhala men stand at the gate with their tribute under court protocol.