Shloka 3
सभा-पर्व (अध्याय ६०) — द्रौपदी-प्रश्नः सभायाम् / Draupadī’s Question in the Assembly
ते द्न्दशशः पृथक् चैव सिंहग्रीवा महौजस: । सिंहासनानि भूरीणि विचित्राणि च भेजिरे
te dvandvaśaḥ pṛthak caiva siṁhagrīvā mahaujasaḥ | siṁhāsanāni bhūrīṇi vicitrāṇi ca bhejire ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Kemudian para wira perkasa yang berleher seperti singa itu, ada yang duduk berpasangan dan ada pula yang duduk berasingan, mengambil tempat di atas banyak singgahsana yang gemilang lagi berhias indah.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how external markers of authority—thrones, rank, and ceremonial seating—can project strength and legitimacy, yet such displays do not by themselves guarantee dharmic conduct; they set the stage for judging whether power will be used rightly.
In the royal assembly setting, powerful men take their places on numerous ornate thrones, some sitting in pairs and some separately, establishing the formal court atmosphere before the subsequent events and decisions unfold.