Shloka 1
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Reception Plan for Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa): Gifts, Procession, and Protocol
2: बछ। अकाल पञ्चाशीतितमोब् ध्याय: दुर्योधनका धृतराष्ट्र आदिकी अनुमतिसे श्रीकृष्णके स्वागत-सत्कारके लिये मार्गमें विश्रामस्थान बनवाना वैशम्पायन उवाच तथा दूतै: समाज्ञाय प्रयान्तं मधुसूदनम् । धृतराष्ट्रोडब्रवीद् भीष्ममर्चयित्वा महाभुजम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tathā dūtaiḥ samājñāya prayāntaṃ madhusūdanam | dhṛtarāṣṭro 'bravīd bhīṣmam arcayitvā mahābhujam |
വൈശമ്പായനൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ദൂതന്മാർ മുഖേന മധുസൂദനൻ (ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണൻ) യാത്രയിൽ ആണെന്ന് അറിഞ്ഞ ധൃതരാഷ്ട്രൻ മഹാബാഹു ഭീഷ്മനെ യഥാവിധി ആദരിച്ചു, ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞു।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical expectation that even amid political conflict, rulers must uphold proper respect and hospitality—especially toward elders like Bhīṣma and toward a revered envoy like Kṛṣṇa—since outward protocol reflects (and tests) inner commitment to dharma.
Messengers inform the Kuru court that Kṛṣṇa is approaching. Dhṛtarāṣṭra, after honoring Bhīṣma, begins to address him—setting up the court’s preparations to receive Kṛṣṇa and the ensuing diplomatic exchanges meant to avert war.