Shloka 7
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
ततो दुर्योधन: श्रुत्वा महात्मानं महारथम् । उपायान्तमभिद्रुत्य स्वयमानर्च भारत
tato duryodhanaḥ śrutvā mahātmānaṃ mahāratham | upayāntam abhidrutya svayam ānarca bhārata ||
Então Duryodhana, ao ouvir que o rei Śalya — magnânimo e grande guerreiro de carro — se aproximava, apressou-se a ir ao seu encontro e, no caminho, começou pessoalmente a honrá-lo e a servi-lo. Em termos éticos, a cena mostra uma hospitalidade estratégica: reverência e serviço exteriores oferecidos com o intuito de assegurar um aliado poderoso para a guerra que se avizinha.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how acts that resemble dharmic hospitality and reverence can be employed as political instruments. It invites reflection on intention (bhāva) behind conduct: service and honor may be ethically elevated when sincere, but morally ambiguous when primarily aimed at gaining advantage in conflict.
Hearing that the powerful warrior-king Śalya is approaching, Duryodhana rushes out to meet him and begins honoring him personally on the road, initiating a reception meant to win Śalya’s favor and secure his support for the Kauravas.