Shloka 23
अध्याय १८४ — भैक्षविभागः, शयनविधानम्, धृष्टद्युम्नस्य निवेदनम्
Alms Distribution, Night Lodging, and Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s Report
तत्र नानाप्रकारेषु विमानेषु स्वलंकृता: । स्पर्धमानास्तदान्योन्यं निषेदु: सर्वपार्थिवा:,उन्हीं सतमहले मकानों या विमानोंमें, जो अनेक प्रकारके बने हुए थे, सब राजालोग परस्पर एक-दूसरेसे होड़ रखते हुए सुन्दर-से-सुन्दर शृंगार धारण करके बैठे
tatra nānāprakāreṣu vimāneṣu svalankṛtāḥ | spardhamānās tadānyonyaṁ niṣeduḥ sarvapārthivāḥ ||
There, in various kinds of richly fashioned pavilions (vimānas), all the kings—adorned in their finest attire—sat down, each vying with the others in splendor. The scene underscores the courtly ethos of honor and prestige, where outward magnificence becomes a public measure of status and rivalry among rulers.
वैशम्पायन उवाच