Shloka 22
कुरुक्षेत्रे सेनानिवेशवृत्तान्तः — Dhṛtarāṣṭra Questions Saṃjaya on the Deployed Armies
पूजयांचक्रिरे ते वै समायान्तं हलायुधम् । ततस्तं पाण्डवो राजा करे पस्पर्श पाणिना,हलायुध बलरामजीको आया देख सबने उनका समादर किया। तदनन्तर पाण्डुनन्दन राजा युधिष्ठिरने अपने हाथसे उनके हाथका स्पर्श किया
pūjayāṃ cakrire te vai samāyāntaṃ halāyudham | tatas taṃ pāṇḍavo rājā kare pasparśa pāṇinā ||
Apabila Halāyudha (Balarāma) tiba, mereka semua memuliakannya sebagaimana wajar. Kemudian raja Pāṇḍava (Yudhiṣṭhira), sebagai tanda sambutan penuh hormat dan adab yang benar, menyentuh tangan baginda dengan tangannya sendiri—melambangkan penerimaan yang berbakti terhadap seorang yang lebih tua dan kerabat yang dimuliakan, di tengah ketegangan menjelang perang.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a politically charged moment before conflict, dharma is upheld through proper reception: honoring a revered elder/kinsman and observing respectful social conduct (satkāra) reinforces ethical order and self-restraint.
Balarāma arrives, and the assembly honors him. Yudhiṣṭhira, as the Pāṇḍava king, personally greets him by touching his hand—a formal, respectful welcome indicating esteem and rightful protocol.