Shloka 31
Dyūta-āhvāna: Śakuni’s Proposal, Vidura’s Warning, and the Summons of Yudhiṣṭhira
Sabhā-parva 51
शतशश्वचैव बहुश: सुवर्ण पद्मसम्मितम् । बलिमादाय विविध द्वारि तिष्ठन्ति वारिता:,दूरतक जानेवाले बड़े-बड़े हाथी, जिनकी संख्या एक अर्बुद थी एवं घोड़े, जिनकी संख्या कई सौ अर्बुद थी और सुवर्ण जो एक पद्मकी लागतका था--इन सबको तथा भाँति-भाँतिकी दूसरी उपहार-सामग्रीको साथ लेकर कितने ही नरेश राजद्वारपर रोके जाकर भेंट देनेके लिये खड़े थे
śataśaśva caiva bahuśaḥ suvarṇa-padma-sammitam | balim ādāya vividha-dvāri tiṣṭhanti vāritāḥ ||
दुर्योधन म्हणाला—शेकडो वेळा, अनेक प्रकारे, ‘पद्म’मूल्य सुवर्ण व विविध उपहारांची बलि (कर-भेट) घेऊन राजे द्वारीच रोखले जाऊन उभे राहतात।
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political power can turn rightful royal reception into controlled access and enforced submission. It implicitly critiques pride and domination: when rulers are made to wait with tribute, the court becomes a stage for asserting superiority rather than practicing dharmic kingship and hospitality.
Duryodhana describes (with emphasis on quantity and value) many kings arriving with rich tribute—gold and other gifts—yet being stopped at the palace gate and kept standing. The scene conveys the scale of wealth and the hierarchical pressure exerted on subordinate rulers.