Shloka 22
अर्हणनिर्णयः
Decision on the Highest Honor at the Assembly
ततो भीष्मोडब्रवीद् राजन् धर्मराजं युधिष्ठिरम् । क्रियतामर्हणं राज्ञां यथाहमिति भारत
tato bhīṣmo 'bravīd rājan dharmarājaṁ yudhiṣṭhiram | kriyatām arhaṇaṁ rājñāṁ yathāham iti bhārata janamejaya ||
随后，毗湿摩对达摩之王、国王由提施提罗说道：“大王，当依我之言，向在座诸王施以相称的礼敬。”于是——噢婆罗多后裔、噢阇那梅阇耶——毗湿摩劝勉由提施提罗遵守王庭礼法，按其位次迎接并尊崇来访的诸王。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must uphold dharma through proper conduct in the court—especially by offering appropriate honor (arhaṇa) to guests and fellow kings. Respectful reception is not mere formality; it sustains social order, acknowledges status, and reflects the king’s ethical discipline.
In the royal assembly context, Bhīṣma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira and instructs him to perform the proper ceremonial honoring of the kings who have arrived. Vaiśampāyana narrates this to Janamejaya, framing Bhīṣma’s counsel as guidance on correct royal procedure.