Shloka 42
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 113 — Maryādā-sthāpana (Śvetaketu’s Boundary) and the Niyoga Deliberation of Pāṇḍu and Kuntī
हस्त्यश्वरथरत्नैश्व गोभिरुष्टैस्तथाविभि: । नान््तं ददृशुरासाद्य भीष्मेण सह कौरवा:,राजा पाण्डु जब नगरके निकट आये, तब भीष्म आदि सब कौरव उनकी अगवानीके लिये आगे बढ़ आये। उन्होंने प्रसन्नतापूर्वक देखा, राजा पाण्डु और उनका दल बड़े उत्साहके साथ आ रहे हैं। उस समय ऐसा जान पड़ता था, मानो वे लोग हस्तिनापुरसे थोड़ी ही दूरतक जाकर वहाँसे लौट रहे हों। उनके साथ भाँति-भाँतिके धन एवं नाना प्रकारके वाहनोंपर लादकर लाये हुए छोटे-बड़े रत्न, श्रेष्ठ हाथी, घोड़े, रथ, गौएँ, ऊँट तथा भेंड़ आदि भी थे। भीष्मके साथ कौरवोंने वहाँ जाकर देखा, तो उस धन-वैभवका कहीं अन्त नहीं दिखायी दिया
hasty-aśva-ratha-ratnaiś ca gobhir uṣṭais tathāvibhiḥ | nāntaṃ dadṛśur āsādya bhīṣmeṇa saha kauravāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When the Kauravas, together with Bhīṣma, went out to meet (King Pāṇḍu) and came up to him, they beheld a vast procession—elephants, horses, chariots, and precious treasures, along with herds of cattle, camels, and sheep. On seeing that wealth and conveyance brought in many kinds, they could perceive no end to it. The scene underscores royal prosperity and the public, orderly display of resources that accompanies a righteous king’s return and reception.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of orderly royal prosperity: wealth and resources are displayed publicly in a controlled, auspicious reception, suggesting stability of the realm and the king’s capacity to sustain dependents—an ethical dimension of kingship (rājadharma) where power is shown as abundance and protection rather than mere force.
Bhīṣma and the Kauravas go out to meet the arriving king (Pāṇḍu in context). On approaching, they see an immense retinue and supplies—animals, vehicles, and treasures—so extensive that it seems limitless.