Shloka 4
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 186 — Drupada’s Summons and the Pāñcāla Reception
ते क्षत्रिया रड्रगता: समेता जिगीषमाणा द्रुपदात्मजां ताम् | चकाशिरे पर्वतराजकन्या- मुमां यथा देवगणा: समेता:,द्रपदकुमारीको पानेकी इच्छासे रंगमण्डपमें एकत्र हुए वे क्षत्रियनरेश गिरिराजनन्दिनी उमाके विवाहमें इकट्ठे हुए देवताओंकी भाँति शोभा पा रहे थे
te kṣatriyā raṅgagatāḥ sametā jigīṣamāṇā drupadātmajāṃ tām | cakāśire parvatarājakanyām umāṃ yathā devagaṇāḥ sametāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Aqueles reis kṣatriya, reunidos na arena com o desejo de conquistar a filha de Drupada, resplandeciam com esplendor—como as hostes de deuses reunidas no casamento de Umā, filha do rei das montanhas. A cena realça como a ambição régia e o certame público eram enquadrados num âmbito sacral e socialmente sancionado, onde convergem matrimônio, prestígio e rivalidade vinculada ao dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how kṣatriya competition for marriage and prestige is conducted in a public, ritually legitimate framework; ambition is present, yet it is socially ordered and compared to a divine assembly, suggesting that worldly rivalry is expected to remain within dharma-bound norms.
Many warrior-kings gather in the arena for Drupada’s daughter’s bride-contest, intent on winning her; their splendid assembly is likened to the gods gathered for Umā’s wedding.