Shloka 18
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Reception Plan for Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa): Gifts, Procession, and Protocol
ता: सभा: केशव: सर्वा रत्नानि विविधानि च | असमीक्ष्यैव दाशा्ह उपायात् कुरुसझ तत्
tāḥ sabhāḥ keśavaḥ sarvā ratnāni vividhāni ca | asamīkṣyaiva dāśārha upayāt kurusaṃjñam tat ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana berkata: Keśava (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), sang Dāśārha, tanpa sekalipun memandang balai-balai perhentian yang banyak itu dan permata yang beraneka, terus melangkah menuju tempat yang dikenali sebagai kediaman kaum Kuru—Hastināpura. Kisah ini menegaskan keteguhan disiplin baginda, yang tidak terpaut pada kemewahan dan pameran, kerana perhatian baginda tertumpu pada tugas berat misinya di tengah-tengah Kuru.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights vairāgya (detachment) and focus on dharma: Kṛṣṇa ignores opulence and keeps his attention on the ethical seriousness of his purpose among the Kurus, modeling self-mastery amid temptation.
As Kṛṣṇa approaches the Kuru seat (Hastināpura) on his mission, he does not even look at the splendid halls and jewels presented or visible along the way; he proceeds directly toward the Kaurava residence.