Shloka 20
द्रुपदवाक्यं
Drupada’s Counsel on Conciliation and Alliance Mobilization
जानकिश्च सुशर्मा च मणिमान् योतिमत्सक: । पांशुराष्ट्राधिपश्चैव धृष्टकेतुश्व वीर्यवान्
jānakiś ca suśarmā ca maṇimān jyotimatsakaḥ | pāṃśurāṣṭrādhipaś caiva dhṛṣṭaketuś ca vīryavān ||
قال دروبادا: «جاناكي، وسوشَرما، ومَنيماَن، وجْيوتيمَتسَكَ؛ وكذلك سيد پَامْشُراشْترا؛ والباسل دْهْرِشْتَكيتو—فهؤلاء أيضًا في عداد الملوك والمحاربين».
दुपद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the widening circle of rulers drawn into a major political crisis. Ethically, it points to the weight of kṣatriya decisions: when leaders mobilize allies and name champions, they are not merely listing names but committing peoples and realms to the consequences of war, making discernment and dharma-guided counsel urgent.
Drupada is speaking and enumerating various kings/warriors—Jānaki, Suśarmā, Maṇimān, Jyotimatsaka, the ruler of Pāṃśurāṣṭra, and the valiant Dhṛṣṭaketu—within a broader catalogue of notable figures relevant to the impending Kurukṣetra conflict.