Shloka 18
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Reception Plan for Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa): Gifts, Procession, and Protocol
ता: सभा: केशव: सर्वा रत्नानि विविधानि च | असमीक्ष्यैव दाशा्ह उपायात् कुरुसझ तत्
tāḥ sabhāḥ keśavaḥ sarvā ratnāni vividhāni ca | asamīkṣyaiva dāśārha upayāt kurusaṃjñam tat ||
വൈശമ്പായനൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ദാശാർഹനായ കേശവൻ (ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണൻ) ആ വിശ്രമസഭകളെയും നാനാവിധ രത്നങ്ങളെയും ഒരുനോട്ടം പോലും നോക്കാതെ, കുരുനിവാസമായ ഹസ്തിനാപുരത്തേക്കു മുന്നോട്ടു നീങ്ങി।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights vairāgya (detachment) and focus on dharma: Kṛṣṇa ignores opulence and keeps his attention on the ethical seriousness of his purpose among the Kurus, modeling self-mastery amid temptation.
As Kṛṣṇa approaches the Kuru seat (Hastināpura) on his mission, he does not even look at the splendid halls and jewels presented or visible along the way; he proceeds directly toward the Kaurava residence.