Shloka 25
Arjuna Confronted by Saindhava Forces during the Aśvamedha Circuit (श्वेतवाहनस्य सैन्धवसंघर्षः)
आगच्छेथा महाराज परां चैत्रीमुपस्थिताम् । यदाश्वमेधो भविता धर्मराजस्य धीमत:,“महाराज! आगामी चैत्रमासकी उत्तम पूर्णिमा तिथि उपस्थित होनेपर तुम हस्तिनापुरमें आना। उस समय बुद्धिमान् धर्मराजका वह उत्तम यज्ञ होगा”
āgacchethā mahārāja parāṁ caitrīm upasthitām | yadāśvamedho bhavitā dharmarājasya dhīmataḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “O great king, come to Hastināpura when the excellent full-moon of the month of Caitra has arrived. At that time the wise Dharmarāja will be performing his Aśvamedha sacrifice.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic kingship expressed through properly timed, socially unifying ritual: a righteous ruler (Dharmarāja) undertakes a major sacrifice, and others are invited to participate at an auspicious time, reinforcing order, legitimacy, and communal consent.
Vaiśaṃpāyana reports an invitation or summons: the addressed king is asked to come to Hastināpura at the arrival of the excellent Caitra full-moon, because Yudhiṣṭhira (Dharmarāja) will then conduct the Aśvamedha sacrifice.