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 ||
Pagkaraan, nang mabalitaan ni Duryodhana na papalapit si Haring Śalya—marangal ang loob at dakilang mandirigmang nakasakay sa karwahe—siya’y nagmadaling sumalubong at siya mismo ang nagsimulang magparangal at maglingkod sa kanya sa daan. Sa usaping etikal, ipinakikita ng tagpong ito ang estratehikong pagkamapagpatuloy: panlabas na paggalang at paglilingkod na iniaalay upang makuha ang isang makapangyarihang kakampi sa nalalapit na digmaan.
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.