Adhyāya 33: Antarvedī-Samāgama, Arghya-Nirṇaya, and Śiśupāla’s Objection
प्रियं कर्तुमुपस्थातुं बलिकर्म स्वभावजम् | अभिहर्तु नृपा जम्मुर्नान्यि: कार्य: कथंचन,राजा लोग उनके यहाँ स्वाभाविक भेंट देने अथवा उनका कोई प्रिय कार्य करनेके लिये ही आते थे, युद्ध आदि दूसरे किसी कामसे नहीं
priyaṃ kartum upasthātuṃ balikarma svabhāvajam | abhihartuṃ nṛpā jagmur nānyat kāryaḥ kathaṃcana ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Para raja datang ke sana hanya untuk menunaikan ufti yang lazim menurut adat, dan untuk melakukan suatu khidmat yang menyenangkan—bukan untuk tujuan lain seperti perang atau paksaan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Legitimate political relations are shown as grounded in accepted dharma—customary tribute and respectful service—rather than in violence. Authority is portrayed as sustained by social obligation and consent, not by constant warfare.
Vaiśampāyana describes rulers arriving with customary offerings and acts meant to please, indicating a peaceful, orderly courtly setting where visits are for tribute and goodwill, not for conflict.