Shloka 58
Adhyāya 31: Rājasūya-samāgama — The Gathering of Kings and the Ordering of Hospitality
पावके विनिवृत्ते तु नीलो राजाभ्यगात् तदा । पावकस्याज्ञया चैनमर्चयामास पार्थिव:
pāvake vinivṛtte tu nīlo rājābhyagāt tadā | pāvakasyājñayā cainam arcayāmāsa pārthivaḥ ||
अग्निदेव अंतर्धान पावल्यावर राजा नील तेथे आला. पावकाच्या आज्ञेने त्या पार्थिवाने सहदेवाचा यथोचित सत्कार-पूजन केले.
सहदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s authority is not absolute; it is ideally exercised in alignment with dharma and reverence for the divine order. Obedience to a righteous divine injunction and the willingness to honor what is higher than oneself are presented as marks of proper kingship.
After the Fire-god (Pāvaka/Agni) withdraws, King Nīla approaches. Following Agni’s instruction, the king performs worship and honors him, indicating a shift from confrontation or disturbance to reconciliation through ritual respect.