Shloka 2
अक्षदेवन-प्रवर्तनम् | Commencement of the Dice Game
धृतिमन्तो दह्वीनिषेवा धर्मात्मानो यशस्विन: । मूर्धाभिषिक्तास्ते चैनं राजान: पर्युपासते
dhṛtimanto dahvīniṣevā dharmātmāno yaśasvinaḥ | mūrdhābhiṣiktās te cainaṃ rājānaḥ paryupāsate ||
Duryodhana berkata: “Mereka teguh hati, setia berkhidmat kepada api suci, berjiwa dharma dan termasyhur; raja-raja yang telah ditahbiskan dengan upacara peminyakan diraja itu mengiringi raja ini dan menantinya dengan penuh hormat.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores traditional markers of legitimate authority: kings who are ritually consecrated and committed to dharma and Vedic rites show deference to a central sovereign. Ethical weight is placed on righteousness, self-control, and ritual discipline as foundations for political honor.
Duryodhana is describing the stature of a particular king (referred to as ‘this king’) by noting that many crowned and reputable rulers—known for dharma and fire-ritual observance—stand in attendance upon him, highlighting his prestige and the political hierarchy around him.