Shloka 2
अक्षदेवन-प्रवर्तनम् | Commencement of the Dice Game
धृतिमन्तो दह्वीनिषेवा धर्मात्मानो यशस्विन: । मूर्धाभिषिक्तास्ते चैनं राजान: पर्युपासते
dhṛtimanto dahvīniṣevā dharmātmāno yaśasvinaḥ | mūrdhābhiṣiktās te cainaṃ rājānaḥ paryupāsate ||
Duryodhana nói: “Vững dạ, chuyên cần phụng sự thánh hỏa, tâm hồn chính trực và lừng danh—những vị vua đã được quán đảnh bằng lễ xức dầu vương quyền ấy đều đến hầu cận vị vua này, cung kính mà phụng sự.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores traditional markers of legitimate authority: kings who are ritually consecrated and committed to dharma and Vedic rites show deference to a central sovereign. Ethical weight is placed on righteousness, self-control, and ritual discipline as foundations for political honor.
Duryodhana is describing the stature of a particular king (referred to as ‘this king’) by noting that many crowned and reputable rulers—known for dharma and fire-ritual observance—stand in attendance upon him, highlighting his prestige and the political hierarchy around him.