Shloka 21
Indra-vijaya Upākhyāna and Śalya’s Assurance to Yudhiṣṭhira (इन्द्रविजयोपाख्यानम् — शल्ययुधिष्ठिरसंवादः)
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमाश्चवासितो राजा शल्येन भरतर्षभ । पूजयामास विधिवच्छल्यं धर्मभूतां वर:
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
evam āśvāsito rājā śalyena bharatarṣabha |
pūjayāmāsa vidhivac chalyam dharmabhūtāṁ varaḥ ||
ବୈଶମ୍ପାୟନ କହିଲେ—ହେ ଭରତଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ଜନମେଜୟ! ଶଲ୍ୟ ଏପରି ଆଶ୍ୱାସନ ଦେଲାପରେ, ଧର୍ମାତ୍ମାମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ରାଜା ଯୁଧିଷ୍ଠିର ବିଧିପୂର୍ବକ ଶଲ୍ୟଙ୍କୁ ପୂଜା-ସତ୍କାର କଲେ।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic kingship: even in tense political and military circumstances, one should uphold proper etiquette and righteous conduct—honouring others duly and following prescribed forms of respect.
After Śalya reassures the king (Yudhiṣṭhira), Yudhiṣṭhira responds by formally honouring Śalya according to custom, reflecting the maintenance of decorum and duty within the unfolding preparations for war.