Shloka 12
Adhyāya 52 (Sabhā-parva): Vidura Invites Yudhiṣṭhira to Hastināpura for the Dice Match
निचितं पर्वतेभ्यश्व हिरण्यं भूरिवर्चसम् । बलिं च कृत्स्नमादाय द्वारि तिष्ठन्ति वारिता:
nicitaṁ parvatebhyaś ca hiraṇyaṁ bhūrivarcasam | baliṁ ca kṛtsnam ādāya dvāri tiṣṭhanti vāritāḥ ||
पर्वतेभ्यः समाहृतं भूरिवर्चसं हिरण्यं, कृत्स्नं बलिं च आदाय, ते द्वारि वारिताः तिष्ठन्ति।
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how royal wealth and tribute, though impressive, become ethically charged when access and honor are controlled by gatekeeping; it points to the tension between rightful reception of guests/tributaries and the politics of exclusion driven by pride or rivalry.
Duryodhana describes splendid mountain-gathered gold and complete tribute being brought, yet the bearers are stopped and made to stand at the gate, indicating a disruption in courtly reception and foreshadowing resentment and conflict within the royal setting.