Shloka 18
Śiśupāla’s Protest Against the Arghya to Kṛṣṇa (शिशुपाल-आक्षेपः)
ददुस्तेषामावसथान् धर्मराजस्य शासनात्,धर्मराजकी आज्ञासे प्रबन्धकोंने उनके ठहरनेके लिये उत्तम भवन दिये, जो बहुत अधिक भोजनसामग्रीसे सम्पन्न थे। राजन! उन घरोंके भीतर स्नानके लिये बावलियाँ बनी थीं और वे भाँति-भाँतिके वृक्षोंसे भी सुशोभित थे। धर्मपुत्र युधिष्ठिर उन सभी महात्मा नरेशोंका स्वागत-सत्कार करते थे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | dadus teṣām āvasathān dharmarājasya śāsanāt | dharmarājakī ājñā se prabandhakōṃ ne unake ṭhaharane ke liye uttama bhavana diye, jo bahut adhika bhojana-sāmagrī se sampanna the | rājan! una gharoṃ ke bhītara snāna ke liye bāvaliyāṃ banī thīṃ aura ve bhānti-bhānti ke vṛkṣoṃ se bhī suśobhita the | dharmaputra yudhiṣṭhira una sabhī mahātmā nareśoṃ kā svāgata-satkāra karate the |
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Atas titah Dharmarāja, tempat penginapan disediakan untuk mereka—kediaman yang unggul, lengkap dengan bekalan makanan yang melimpah. Wahai Raja, di dalam rumah-rumah itu ada telaga bertangga untuk mandi, dan ia dihiasi pula dengan pelbagai jenis pepohon. Dharmaputra Yudhiṣṭhira terus menyambut serta memuliakan semua raja yang berhati luhur itu.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma expressed through hospitality: a righteous king ensures guests and allied rulers are housed comfortably, provided with necessities, and honored respectfully—ethical governance shown through care, order, and generosity.
After the kings have assembled, Yudhiṣṭhira (Dharmarāja) orders that they be given fine accommodations with ample provisions and amenities like bathing facilities and pleasant surroundings; he personally continues to receive and honor them.