Shloka 15
अध्याय १८४ — भैक्षविभागः, शयनविधानम्, धृष्टद्युम्नस्य निवेदनम्
Alms Distribution, Night Lodging, and Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s Report
उपोपविष्टा मज्चेषु द्रष्टकामा: स्वयंवरम् । तत: पौरजना: सर्वे सागरोद्धूतनि:स्वना:,भिन्न-भिन्न देशोंसे कितने ही महाभाग ब्राह्मणोंने भी पदार्पण किया था। महामना राजा द्रपदने (वहाँ पधारे हुए) नरपतियोंका भलीभाँति स्वागत-सत्कार एवं सेवा-पूजा की। तत्पश्चात् वे सभी नरेश स्वयंवर देखनेकी इच्छासे वहाँ रखे हुए मंचोंपर बैठे। उस नगरके समस्त निवासी भी यथास्थान आकर बैठ गये। उन सबका कोलाहल क्षुब्ध हुए समुद्रके भयंकर गर्जनके समान सुनायी पड़ता था
vaiśampāyana uvāca | upopaviṣṭā majceṣu draṣṭakāmāḥ svayaṃvaram | tataḥ paurajanāḥ sarve sāgaroddhūtaniḥsvanāḥ |
Vaiśampāyana said: Desiring to witness the svayaṃvara, they took their seats upon the prepared platforms. Then all the townspeople also sat in their proper places; and the tumult of that gathered multitude resounded like the dreadful roar of the sea when it is churned and heaved by the wind—signaling the immense public anticipation surrounding the rite of choice and marriage.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights social order and collective participation: a major dharmic rite (svayaṃvara) is witnessed by rulers and citizens alike, and the imagery of the sea underscores the power of public sentiment and the gravity of communal attention around a lawful marriage ceremony.
Those who came to see the svayaṃvara take their seats on the arranged platforms; the townspeople also assemble and sit in their places, and the combined noise of the crowd is compared to the roaring of an agitated ocean.