Shloka 22
Vāraṇāvata-praveśa and Jatugṛha-saṃdeha
Entry into Vāraṇāvata and Suspicion of the Lac-House
(सुवर्णमणिरत्नानि वस्त्राणि विविधानि च । प्रददौ दक्षिणां राजा द्रोणस्य च कृपस्य च ।।) सुखपुण्याहघोषस्य पुण्यस्य समनन्तरम् । विविशेुर्विविध॑ गृह्मु शस्त्रोपकरणं नरा:,उस समय राजा धुृतराष्ट्रने सुवर्ण, मणि, रत्न तथा नाना प्रकारके वस्त्र आचार्य द्रोण और कृपको दक्षिणारूपमें दिये। फिर सुखमय पुण्याहवाचन तथा दान-होम आदि पुण्यकर्मोंके अनन्तर नाना प्रकारकी शस्त्र-सामग्री लेकर बहुत-से मनुष्योंने उस रंगमण्डपमें प्रवेश किया
suvarṇamaṇiratnāni vastrāṇi vividhāni ca | pradadau dakṣiṇāṁ rājā droṇasya ca kṛpasya ca || sukhapuṇyāhaghoṣasya puṇyasya samanantaram | viviśur vividhaṁ gṛhma śastropakaraṇaṁ narāḥ ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: The king bestowed as priestly fees gold, gems, and jewels, along with garments of many kinds, upon Droṇa and also upon Kṛpa. Then, immediately after the auspicious and joyful proclamation of the puṇyāha and the completion of meritorious rites such as gifting and offerings, many men entered the hall, bringing with them various kinds of weapons and military equipment.
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the dharmic expectation that royal power be exercised with ritual propriety and generosity: the king honors teachers/priests with dakṣiṇā after auspicious rites. At the same time, it subtly frames how sanctioned ritual and public merit-making can accompany—and legitimize—military preparation, reminding readers that ethical kingship must balance piety, gratitude, and the responsible use of force.
After auspicious recitations (puṇyāha) and meritorious ceremonies such as gifts and offerings, the king gives valuable dakṣiṇā—gold, gems, jewels, and garments—to Droṇa and Kṛpa. Immediately afterward, many men enter the hall carrying assorted weapons and military equipment, indicating an organized martial or ceremonial display connected with the event.