Shloka 11
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
स ता: सभा: समासाद्य पूज्यमानो यथामर: । दुर्योधनस्य सचिवैददेशे देशो समन्ततः,सब ओर विभिन्न स्थानोंमें बने हुए उन सभाभवनोंमें पहुँचकर राजा शल्य दुर्योधनके मन्त्रियोंद्वारा देवताओं-की भाँति पूजित होते थे
sa tāḥ sabhāḥ samāsādya pūjyamāno yathāmaraḥ | duryodhanasya sacivair dadeśe deśaḥ samantataḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Pagdating niya sa mga bulwagang kapulungan, pinarangalan si Haring Śalya na tila isang diyos; at sa pamamagitan ng mga ministro ni Duryodhana, itinalaga sa kanya ang mga pook at tuluyan sa bawat panig. Ipinahihiwatig ng tagpong ito kung paanong ang pagkamapagpatuloy na may layuning pampulitika at ang paggalang na seremonyal ay ginagamit upang tiyakin ang katapatan sa bisperas ng digmaan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how honour and hospitality function as instruments of statecraft: public reverence and careful accommodation can bind powerful guests into political obligation, raising ethical questions about loyalty formed through ceremony rather than dharmic discernment.
Śalya arrives at various assembly-halls and is received with divine-like honours; Duryodhana’s ministers arrange places and quarters for him all around, signalling a strategic welcome meant to secure Śalya’s support.