Shloka 1
कर्णस्य मन्त्रः — Duryodhana-प्रति नीति-विचारः
Karna’s Counsel on Strategy toward the Pāṇḍavas
अ-क्राछ चतुन॑वर्त्याधेकशततमो< ध्याय: ट्रपद और युधिष्ठिरकी बातचीत तथा व्यासजीका आगमन वैशम्पायन उवाच तत आहूय पाज्चाल्यो राजपुत्र युधिष्ठिरम् । परिग्रहेण ब्राह्मण परिगृह महाद्युति:,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! तदनन्तर महातेजस्वी, उदारचित्त, पांचालराज द्रुपदने अत्यन्त कान्तिमान् कुन्तीपुत्र राजकुमार युधिष्ठिरको (अपने पास) बुलाकर ब्राह्मणोचित आतिथ्य-सत्कारके द्वारा उन्हें अपनाकर पूछा -- हमें कैसे ज्ञात हो कि आपलोग किस वर्णके हैं? हम आपको क्षत्रिय, ब्राह्मण, गुणसम्पन्न वैश्य अथवा शूद्र क्या समझें? अथवा मायाका आश्रय लेकर ब्राह्मगरूपसे सब दिशाओंमें विचरनेवाले आपलोगोंको हम कोई देवता मानें?
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: tata āhūya pāñcālyo rājaputraṁ yudhiṣṭhiram | parigraheṇa brāhmaṇa parigṛhya mahādyutiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then the Pāñcāla king (Drupada), having summoned the royal prince Yudhiṣṭhira, received the radiant one with the kind of respectful hospitality due to a brāhmaṇa and, after thus welcoming him, questioned him—seeking to know their true social identity and status. The scene frames an ethical concern central to dharma: how one ought to honor guests even when their lineage and intentions are not yet fully known.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid uncertainty about a visitor’s identity, dharma emphasizes honoring guests with proper respect. Drupada’s brāhmaṇa-style reception models restraint and ethical hospitality before judgment.
Drupada, king of Pāñcāla, calls Yudhiṣṭhira to his presence, welcomes him with formal hospitality, and begins questioning to ascertain who they truly are (their status/varṇa and identity).