Shloka 18
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Reception Plan for Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa): Gifts, Procession, and Protocol
ता: सभा: केशव: सर्वा रत्नानि विविधानि च | असमीक्ष्यैव दाशा्ह उपायात् कुरुसझ तत्
tāḥ sabhāḥ keśavaḥ sarvā ratnāni vividhāni ca | asamīkṣyaiva dāśārha upayāt kurusaṃjñam tat ||
毗舍摩波耶那说道：凯沙瓦（奎师那），达沙尔诃族之杰，不曾向那许多休憩殿堂与各色珍宝投去一瞥，便径自前行，直趋库鲁族的居处——象城（Hastināpura）。此叙事彰显他对奢华与炫示的自律淡然，心念唯系于在库鲁众中所负之沉重使命。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights vairāgya (detachment) and focus on dharma: Kṛṣṇa ignores opulence and keeps his attention on the ethical seriousness of his purpose among the Kurus, modeling self-mastery amid temptation.
As Kṛṣṇa approaches the Kuru seat (Hastināpura) on his mission, he does not even look at the splendid halls and jewels presented or visible along the way; he proceeds directly toward the Kaurava residence.