Shloka 31
Dyūta-āhvāna: Śakuni’s Proposal, Vidura’s Warning, and the Summons of Yudhiṣṭhira
Sabhā-parva 51
शतशश्वचैव बहुश: सुवर्ण पद्मसम्मितम् । बलिमादाय विविध द्वारि तिष्ठन्ति वारिता:
śataśaśva caiva bahuśaḥ suvarṇa-padma-sammitam | balim ādāya vividha-dvāri tiṣṭhanti vāritāḥ ||
ドゥルヨーダナは言った。「幾度となく、百人単位で、さまざまな形で、諸王は『パドマ』に相当する価値の黄金を貢ぎとして、また多様な供物を携え、宮殿の門前に立たされる——制止され、待たされるのだ。」
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political power can turn rightful royal reception into controlled access and enforced submission. It implicitly critiques pride and domination: when rulers are made to wait with tribute, the court becomes a stage for asserting superiority rather than practicing dharmic kingship and hospitality.
Duryodhana describes (with emphasis on quantity and value) many kings arriving with rich tribute—gold and other gifts—yet being stopped at the palace gate and kept standing. The scene conveys the scale of wealth and the hierarchical pressure exerted on subordinate rulers.