Shloka 21
Indra-vijaya Upākhyāna and Śalya’s Assurance to Yudhiṣṭhira (इन्द्रविजयोपाख्यानम् — शल्ययुधिष्ठिरसंवादः)
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमाश्चवासितो राजा शल्येन भरतर्षभ । पूजयामास विधिवच्छल्यं धर्मभूतां वर:,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--भरतश्रेष्ठ जनमेजय! शल्यके इस प्रकार आश्वासन देनेपर धर्मात्माओंमें श्रेष्ठ युधिष्ठिरने उनका विधिपूर्वक पूजन किया
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
evam āśvāsito rājā śalyena bharatarṣabha |
pūjayāmāsa vidhivac chalyam dharmabhūtāṁ varaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Demikianlah, setelah ditenteramkan oleh Śalya, wahai keturunan Bharata yang utama, sang raja—yang terdepan di antara para penegak dharma—menghormati Śalya menurut tata cara yang semestinya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic kingship: even in tense political and military circumstances, one should uphold proper etiquette and righteous conduct—honouring others duly and following prescribed forms of respect.
After Śalya reassures the king (Yudhiṣṭhira), Yudhiṣṭhira responds by formally honouring Śalya according to custom, reflecting the maintenance of decorum and duty within the unfolding preparations for war.