Shloka 9
Vasiṣṭhasya śokaḥ, Vipāśā–Śatadrū-nāmākaraṇam, Kalmāṣapādasya bhaya-prasaṅgaḥ (Ādi Parva 167)
स तावामन्त्रयामास सर्वकामैरतन्द्रित: । बुद्ध्वा बल॑ तयोस्तत्र कनीयांसमुपह्दरे
sa tāv āmantrayāmāsa sarvakāmair atandritaḥ | buddhvā balaṃ tayos tatra kanīyāṃsam upahvare ||
二人の力と器量を見抜いた王は、怠りなく、あらゆる望ましい安楽と贈り物をもって彼らを招いた。ついで人目を避けた場所で、二人のうち年少の者に近づき、享楽の約束と恭敬の奉仕によって心を引き寄せようとした。この場面は、道徳的に緊張を孕む意図を示す。すなわち王の施与と礼拝は、単なる歓待ではなく、王の政治的・私的な願いにかなう祭式の成就を得るための手段として用いられている。
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how power and outcomes can be pursued through ritual and patronage: a ruler’s gifts and reverence may be ethically ambiguous when used instrumentally to obtain a desired result. It invites reflection on intention (saṅkalpa) behind generosity and the tension between dharmic hospitality and goal-driven manipulation.
King Drupada, having assessed the abilities of two ritual experts, invites them with lavish offerings. He then privately approaches the younger one, aiming to secure his cooperation—setting the stage for a requested rite intended to produce a son capable of killing Droṇa.