Shloka 18
भीष्मशिबिरगमनम् — Duryodhana’s Visit to Bhīṣma’s Camp and the Command Appeal
कामवर्णजवैरश्वैरबहुभि: संवृतो नूप । ते हया: काञठ्चनापीडा नानावर्णा मनोजवा:
kāmavarṇajavair aśvair bahubhiḥ saṃvṛto nṛpa | te hayāḥ kāñcanāpīḍā nānāvarṇā manojavāḥ naraśreṣṭha ||
قال سنجيا: أيها الملك، كان محاطاً بخيول كثيرة، لكلٍّ منها لونٌ وسرعةٌ كما يُشتهى. وكانت تلك الجياد مزدانة بحُليٍّ ذهبية على الرؤوس، سريعة كالفكر، متعددة الألوان—صورةً لهيبة الملك واستعداد الحرب وقد اجتمعا للقاء القادم.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily paints a narrative image rather than stating a direct moral: the abundance, variety, and disciplined readiness of royal resources (swift, well-adorned horses) underscore how power and preparation are marshaled for war—hinting that external splendor serves the larger, ethically fraught arena of dharma and conflict.
Sañjaya describes to the king a warrior (contextually connected with Irāvān in the given gloss) being attended by many excellent horses—of desired colors and speeds—adorned with golden head-gear and moving with mind-like swiftness, emphasizing the grandeur and readiness of the forces on the battlefield.