Shloka 7
आदि पर्व (अध्याय १२७) — रङ्गे कर्णस्य अवमानः, दुर्योधनस्य प्रतिपक्ष-निवृत्तिः, मैत्री-स्थापनम् / Ādi Parva (Chapter 127) — Karṇa’s Public Humiliation, Duryodhana’s Intervention, and the Formation of Alliance
अथैनामार्तवै: पुष्पैर्गन्धैश्व विविधैवरै: । शिबिकां तामलंकृत्य वाससा55च्छाद्य सर्वश:,इसके बाद वसन्त-ऋतुमें सुलभ नाना प्रकारके सुन्दर पुष्पों तथा श्रेष्ठ ग्रन्धोंसे एक शिबिका (वैकुण्ठी)-को सजाकर उसे सब ओरसे वस्त्रद्वारा ढँक दिया गया
athainām ārtavaiḥ puṣpair gandhaiś ca vividhair varaiḥ | śibikāṃ tām alaṅkṛtya vāsasā cchādya sarvaśaḥ ||
Then they adorned that palanquin with choice, varied fragrances and with seasonal flowers available in the springtime; and, having decorated it, they covered it completely on all sides with cloth—preparing it with due care and propriety for the next rite in the unfolding events.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the cultural-ethical value of saṃskāra—doing significant acts with careful preparation, cleanliness, and auspicious arrangement. Even outward details (flowers, fragrance, covering) express respect, propriety, and the intention to conduct the next action in an orderly, dignified manner.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, a palanquin is ceremonially decorated with seasonal spring flowers and fine perfumes, and then fully covered with cloth, indicating formal preparation for transporting a woman (enām) as the story proceeds.