Shloka 17
खाण्डवदाहे देवविमुखता तथा मयदानवाभयदानम् | Khāṇḍava Burning: Devas Withdraw; Maya Granted Protection
योजयघथ्वं रथानाशु प्रासानाहरतेति च । धनूंषि च महाहाणि कवचानि बृहन्ति च,(वे बड़ी उतावलीसे कहने लगे--) “जल्दी रथ जोतो, फौरन प्रास ले आओ, धनुष तथा बहुमूल्य एवं विशाल कवच लाओ”
yojayadhvaṁ rathān āśu prāsān āharateti ca | dhanūṁṣi ca mahāhāṇi kavacāni bṛhanti ca ||
তারা ব্যস্ত হয়ে আদেশ দিতে লাগল—“তৎক্ষণাৎ রথ জোতো! সঙ্গে সঙ্গে বর্শা আনো! ধনুক আনো, আর দামী ও বৃহৎ বর্মও আনো!”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly circumstances can shift toward violence: urgency and readiness for battle can eclipse reflection. Ethically, it foreshadows the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between necessary kṣatriya preparedness and the dangers of impulsive escalation.
The speaker reports a moment of hurried mobilization: orders are shouted to yoke chariots and fetch weapons and armour, indicating that a confrontation is imminent and the group is preparing for armed action.