Shloka 23
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 113 — Maryādā-sthāpana (Śvetaketu’s Boundary) and the Niyoga Deliberation of Pāṇḍu and Kuntī
मड़लाचारयुक्ताभिराशीर्भिरभिनन्दित: । गजवाजिरथीघेन बलेन महतागमत्,उन्होंने भीष्म आदि बड़े-बूढ़ोंके चरणोंमें मस्तक झुकाया। कुशनन्दन धृतराष्ट्र तथा अन्य श्रेष्ठ कुशवंशियोंको प्रणाम करके उन सबकी आज्ञा ली और उनका अनुमोदन मिलनेपर मंगलाचारयुत्ह आशीर्वादोंसे अभिनन्दित हो हाथी, घोड़ों तथा रथसमुदायसे युक्त विशाल सेनाके साथ प्रस्थान किया
maṅgalācāra-yuktābhir āśīrbhir abhinanditaḥ | gaja-vāji-rathaughena balena mahatāgamat ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having received auspicious blessings and being duly congratulated with benedictory words, he set out, accompanied by a vast force—an array of elephants, horses, and chariots. The scene underscores the ethic of deference to elders and the social legitimacy conferred by their consent and blessings before undertaking a major public action.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before undertaking a consequential public act—especially one involving power and force—one should seek the sanction of rightful authority and the blessings of elders; auspicious rites and benedictions symbolize social and moral legitimacy.
The protagonist is honored with auspicious blessings and then departs with a large military contingent composed of elephants, horses, and chariots, indicating a formal, sanctioned mobilization.