Shloka 10
Vāraṇāvata-praveśa and Jatugṛha-saṃdeha
Entry into Vāraṇāvata and Suspicion of the Lac-House
अवचुष्टे समाजे च तदर्थ वदतां वर: | रड्रभूमौ सुविपुलं शास्त्रदृष्ट यथाविधि,वह भूमि समतल थी। उसमें वृक्ष या झाड़-झंखाड़ नहीं थे। वह उत्तरदिशाकी ओर नीची थी। वक्ताओंमें श्रेष्ठ द्रोणने वास्तुपूुजन देखनेके लिये डिण्डिम-घोष कराके वीरसमुदायको आमन्त्रित किया और उत्तम नक्षत्रसे युक्त तिथिमें उस भूमिपर वास्तुपूजन किया। तत्पश्चात् उनके शिल्पियोंने उस रंगभूमिमें वास्तु-शास्त्रके अनुसार विधिपूर्वक एक अति विशाल प्रेक्षागहकी- नींव डाली तथा राजा और राजघरानेकी स्त्रियोंके बैठनेके लिये वहाँ सब प्रकारके अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंसे सम्पन्न बहुत सुन्दर भवन बनाया। जनपदके लोगोंने अपने बैठनेके लिये वहाँ ऊँचे और विशाल मंच बनवाये तथा (स्त्रियोंको लानेके लिये) बहुमूल्य शिबिकाएँ तैयार करायीं
avacuṣṭe samāje ca tadarthaṁ vadatāṁ varaḥ | raṅgabhūmau suvipulaṁ śāstradṛṣṭaṁ yathāvidhi ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “In that assembly, the foremost among speakers (Drona) proclaimed the purpose and, on the great arena-ground, arranged everything in the proper manner as prescribed by the śāstras. The ground was level and clear of trees and thickets, sloping slightly toward the north. After summoning the community of heroes with the beat of a drum and choosing an auspicious lunar day and constellation, he performed the Vāstu-rite on that site. Thereafter the craftsmen, following architectural injunctions, laid the foundation of a very large viewing-hall, and also built a splendid, well-protected pavilion for the king and the royal women. The people of the realm raised high and spacious platforms for their own seating and prepared costly palanquins to bring the women.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights dharmic order in public life: even a martial exhibition is framed by śāstra-guided procedure, auspicious timing, and proper civic arrangements—suggesting that power and display should be regulated by rule, ritual propriety, and responsibility toward the community.
An arena is prepared for a major public display. Droṇa summons the warriors by drum announcement, performs the Vāstu rite on an auspicious day, and has craftsmen build a vast viewing-hall and secure royal pavilion, while the populace constructs platforms and palanquins for spectators.