Shloka 2

Adhyāya 59: Vidura’s Admonition to Duryodhana after the Summons of Draupadī (सभा पर्व)

Devanagari script

यथावय: समेयाना उपविष्टा यथार्हतः । आसजनेषु विचित्रेषु स्पर्थ्यास्तरणवत्सु च

Transliteration

Vaiśampāyana uvāca: yathāvayaḥ sameyānā upaviṣṭā yathārhataḥ | āsajaneṣu vicitreṣu spardhyāstaraṇavatsu ca ||

Translation

毗湿摩耶那说道：“众人会齐之后，便依其年岁与位次而坐——坐在各式华美座席之上，铺以锦毯，覆以帷褥，令人称赏。此景正显王庭之法：以次序、礼度与款待，尊敬长者与显贵。”

Word by Word

• यथा: as, according to
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा

• वयः: age (stage of life)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वयस्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• समीयानाः: approaching, coming together
• समीयानाः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-इ (समीयान)
• Form: Present active participle, Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• उपविष्टाः: seated
• उपविष्टाः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-विश् (उपविष्ट)
• Form: Past passive participle, Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• यथा: as, according to
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा

• अर्हतः: worthy (persons)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्हत्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• आसनेषु: on seats
• आसनेषु: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: आसन
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Plural

• विचित्रेषु: variegated, splendid
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्र
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Plural

• स्पर्ध्य: rival-worthy, enviable
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्पर्ध्य
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Plural

• आस्तरणवत्सु: having coverings/spreads
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आस्तरणवत्
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• āsana (seats)
• āstaraṇa (carpets/coverings)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharmic decorum in a royal assembly: people are honored and seated according to seniority and rightful status, reflecting respect, order, and proper hospitality.

What is happening in the narrative?

The assembled participants take their seats in the hall in an orderly, appropriate manner, on ornate seats furnished with admirable carpets and coverings, setting a formal courtly atmosphere.