Shloka 21
Adhyāya 52 (Sabhā-parva): Vidura Invites Yudhiṣṭhira to Hastināpura for the Dice Match
दत्त्वैकैको दश शतान् कुञ्जरान् कवचावृतान् । क्षमावन्त: कुलीनाश्न द्वारेण प्राविशंस्तदा
dattvaikaiko daśa śatān kuñjarān kavacāvṛtān | kṣamāvantaḥ kulīnāś ca dvāreṇa prāviśaṃs tadā ||
Duryodhana nói: “Rồi sau đó, từng vị vua một—những bậc nhẫn nhịn và dòng dõi cao quý—đi qua cổng mà vào, mỗi người dâng cống một nghìn voi, khoác áo giáp sắt.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political legitimacy and honor in a royal assembly are often expressed through costly gifts and ceremonial entry. Ethically, it invites reflection on the difference between external displays of nobility (wealth, tribute, lineage) and the inner virtues that truly sustain dharma—especially in a context where pride and competition can corrupt courtly ideals.
Duryodhana describes a procession of kings entering through the gate, each offering a grand tribute—specifically a thousand armored elephants. The description functions to magnify the scale of the gathering and the wealth on display, setting the tone for the Sabha’s politics of prestige and rivalry.