Chapter 49: Sañjaya’s Enumeration of the Pāṇḍava Coalition (पाण्डवसैन्यसमागम-वर्णनम्)
य आसीच्छरणं काले पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम् | रणे तेन विराटेन भविता व: समागम:,जो अज्ञातवासके समय महात्मा पाण्डवोंके आश्रयदाता थे, उन राजा विराटके साथ भी आपलोगोंका युद्ध होगा
ya āsīc charaṇaṃ kāle pāṇḍavānāṃ mahātmanām | raṇe tena virāṭena bhavitā vaḥ samāgamaḥ ||
قال سانجيا: «ذلك الذي كان، في ساعة الشدة، ملجأً وحاميًا للباندافا ذوي النفوس العظيمة—مع ذلك الملك فيراتا نفسه سيكون لكم لقاءٌ في ساحة القتال.»
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical tension of war: political conflict can force confrontation even with those who once offered protection. It implicitly underscores the value of remembering benefaction and the tragic reach of adharma-driven hostilities.
Sañjaya informs Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s side that the coming war will draw in allies of the Pāṇḍavas, including King Virāṭa, who had earlier sheltered them during their period of concealment; thus, the Kauravas will also face Virāṭa in battle.