Shloka 8

अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)

Devanagari script

कारयामास पूजार्थ तस्य दुर्योधन: सभा: । रमणीयेषु देशेषु रत्नचित्रा: स्वलंकृता:,दुर्योधनने राजा शल्यके स्वागत-सत्कारके लिये रमणीय प्रदेशोंमें बहुत-से सभाभवन तैयार कराये, जिनकी दीवारोंमें रत्न जड़े हुए थे। उन भवनोंको सब प्रकारसे सजाया गया था इति श्रीमहाभारते उद्योगपर्वणि सेनोद्योगपर्वणि शल्यवाक्ये अष्टमो5ध्याय:

Transliteration

kārayāmāsa pūjārthaṁ tasya duryodhanaḥ sabhāḥ | ramaṇīyeṣu deśeṣu ratnacitrāḥ suvalaṅkṛtāḥ ||

Translation

വൈശമ്പായനൻ പറഞ്ഞു— അദ്ദേഹത്തെ പൂജിച്ച് സത്കരിക്കുവാൻ ദുര്യോധനൻ മനോഹര ദേശങ്ങളിൽ അനേകം സഭാമന്ദിരങ്ങൾ പണിയിച്ചു; അവ രത്നങ്ങൾ പതിപ്പിച്ചും എല്ലാ വിധത്തിലും സമൃദ്ധമായി അലങ്കരിച്ചുമിരുന്നു.

Word by Word

• {'kārayāmāsa': 'caused to be made

• had constructed (causative perfect)', 'pūjārtham': 'for the sake of honoring

• for reception/ceremonial worship', 'tasya': 'of him

• for him (contextually: Śalya)', 'duryodhanaḥ': 'Duryodhana (Kaurava prince)', 'sabhāḥ': 'assembly-halls

• pavilions', 'ramaṇīyeṣu': 'in charming/delightful (places)', 'deśeṣu': 'regions

• locales', 'ratnacitrāḥ': 'decorated/inlaid with jewels

• gem-ornamented', 'suvalaṅkṛtāḥ': 'well-adorned

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Duryodhana
• sabhā (assembly-halls)
• ramaṇīya deśa (delightful locales)
• ratna (gems/jewels)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how external honor—lavish hospitality, ornamented halls, and ceremonial reception—can be used to influence alliances. Ethically, it invites reflection on the difference between genuine respect and strategic display meant to secure advantage in a looming conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

As Śalya approaches, Duryodhana arranges an impressive welcome by commissioning many beautifully decorated assembly-halls in pleasant places, preparing a grand reception intended to win Śalya’s favor and support.