Shloka 18
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
तत आसादयामास पुरोधा द्रुपदं पुरे तस्मै पाउचालको राजा गामर्घ्य च सुसत्कृतम्
tata āsādayāmāsa purodhā drupadaṃ pure | tasmai pāñcālako rājā gām arghyaṃ ca susatkṛtam ||
ତାପରେ ରାଜପୁରୋହିତ ନଗରକୁ ଆସି ମହାରାଜ ଦ୍ରୁପଦଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟିଲେ। ପାଞ୍ଚାଳରାଜ ଯଥୋଚିତ ସତ୍କାର କରି ତାଙ୍କୁ ଅର୍ଘ୍ୟ ଓ ଗୋ ଅର୍ପଣ କଲେ। ତାଙ୍କ ସହ ରାଜକୁମାର ଶିଖଣ୍ଡୀ ମଧ୍ୟ ଉପସ୍ଥିତ ଥିଲେ। ରାଜେନ୍ଦ୍ର! ପୁରୋହିତ ସେହି ପୂଜା-ସମ୍ମାନ ଗ୍ରହଣ କଲେ ନାହିଁ ଏବଂ ଏଭଳି କହିଲେ—
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that formal honor (arghya, gifts) is not automatically to be accepted; ethical and political context matters. In the war-prelude setting, the priest’s refusal implies that dharma can require restraint from benefiting personally or ritually when the larger situation involves contested loyalties and impending conflict.
A royal priest arrives in Drupada’s city and is welcomed with arghya and a cow by the Panchala king. Shikhandi is present. The priest refuses to accept the offered honors and begins to speak, setting up a consequential diplomatic or moral statement.