Shloka 24
Śiśupāla’s Protest Against the Arghya to Kṛṣṇa (शिशुपाल-आक्षेपः)
विश्रान्तास्ते ततो5पश्यन् भूमिपा भूरिदक्षिणम्
viśrāntās te tato ’paśyan bhūmipā bhūridakṣiṇam |
ततः विश्रान्ताः ते भूमिपाः भूरिदक्षिणं धर्मराजं युधिष्ठिरम् अपश्यन्, बहुसदस्यैः परिवृतम्। जनमेजय, तदा तत् यज्ञमण्डपं राजभिर्ब्राह्मणैश्च महर्षिभिश्च परिपूर्णं, देवैः कीर्णं नाकलोकमिव शोभामगमत्।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic kingship through generosity: abundant dakṣiṇā and a well-attended sacrifice symbolize righteous rule, social harmony, and the ethical duty of a king to support sacred learning and ritual specialists.
After resting, the visiting kings see Yudhiṣṭhira—renowned for lavish ritual gifts—surrounded by many assembly members; the sacrificial pavilion is depicted as radiant and heaven-like because it is filled with kings, brāhmaṇas, and great seers.