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 ||
নরেশ্বর! ইরাবানের সঙ্গে ছিল বহু অশ্ব—ইচ্ছামতো বর্ণ ও বেগসম্পন্ন। তাদের সকলেরই স্বর্ণমুকুট-সদৃশ শিরোভূষণ ছিল; তারা মনসম দ্রুত, আর নানা বর্ণে বিভূষিত।
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.