Shloka 46
Adhyāya 10: Śrutakarmā’s Engagements; Prativindhya–Citra Duel; Drauṇi Advances toward Bhīma
औदुम्बरे सुखासीनमासने क्षौमसंवृते | शास्त्रदृष्टेन विधिना सम्भारैश्न सुसम्भूतै:,अभिषेकके लिये सोने तथा मिट्टीके घड़ोंमें अभिमन्त्रित जल रखे गये थे। हाथीके दाँत तथा गैंडे और बैलके सींगोंके बने हुए पात्रोंमें भी पृथक्ू-पृथक् जल रखा गया था। उन पात्रोंमें मणि और मोती भी थे। अन्यान्य पवित्र गन्धशाली पदार्थ और औषध भी डाले गये थे। कर्ण गूलरकाठकी बनी हुई चौकीपर, जिसके ऊपर रेशमी कपड़ा बिछा हुआ था, सुखपूर्वक बैठा था। उस अवस्थामें शास्त्रीय विधिके अनुसार पूर्वोक्त सुसंचित सामग्रियोंद्वारा ब्राह्मणों, क्षत्रियों, वैश्यों तथा सम्मानित शूद्रोंने उसका अभिषेक किया और अभिषेक हो जानेपर श्रेष्ठ आसनपर बैठे हुए महामना कर्णकी उन सब लोगोंने स्तुति की
audumbare sukhāsīnam āsane kṣaumasaṃvṛte | śāstradṛṣṭena vidhinā sambhāraiḥ susambhūtaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Karṇa sat at ease upon a seat made of udumbara wood, covered with fine linen. Then, following the procedure sanctioned by the sacred ordinances, and using the well-prepared consecratory materials, the assembled people performed his anointing—placing sanctified water in vessels of gold and clay, and separately in containers fashioned from ivory and from the horns of rhinoceros and bull, mixed with gems, pearls, fragrant pure substances, and medicinal herbs. When the rite was completed, they praised the high-minded Karṇa as he sat upon the excellent seat—an act that frames kingship as a public trust established through ritual order even amid the pressures of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage emphasizes that authority—especially in a time of conflict—seeks legitimacy through śāstra-guided ritual and public acknowledgment. Kingship is portrayed not merely as power, but as an office established by orderly procedure and communal consent, implying ethical accountability (dharma) even amid war.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa seated on an udumbara-wood seat covered with fine cloth while various groups (brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and honoured śūdras) perform his abhiṣeka using mantra-consecrated water kept in different vessels and mixed with auspicious substances; afterward they praise Karṇa.