Shloka 2
Virāṭa-sabhāyāṃ Saṃniveśaḥ — Assembly at Virāṭa’s Hall and Kṛṣṇa’s Diplomatic Counsel
सभा तु सा मत्स्यपते: समृद्धा मणिप्रवेकोत्तमरत्नचित्रा । न्यस्तासना माल्यवती सुगन्धा तामभ्ययुस्ते नरराजवृद्धा:
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca | sabhā tu sā matsyapateḥ samṛddhā maṇipravokottamaratnacitrā | nyastāsanā mālyavatī sugandhā tām abhyayus te nararājavṛddhāḥ ||
ヴァイシャṃパーヤナは語った。マツヤの主の王宮の सभा（集会殿）は、きわめて富み栄え、宝玉の細工と最上の宝石の象嵌によって飾られていた。座はしかるべき序列に従って設けられ、花鬘が垂れ、芳香が殿内に満ちていた。その輝かしい殿堂へ、年長にして第一の諸王が威儀を整え、堂々と集い来たのである。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideals of kingship and public order: a well-appointed, orderly court symbolizes stability, prosperity, and readiness for counsel. Ethical governance is implied through proper arrangement (nyastāsanā) and dignified assembly of senior rulers, suggesting that major decisions should be taken in a formal, respectful, and well-structured setting.
The narrator describes the splendid assembly-hall of the Matsya king (Virāṭa)—richly decorated with jewels, garlands, and fragrance—then states that the elder and foremost kings arrive there and gather, setting the stage for a significant political meeting.