Shloka 13
Gaṅgādvāra-tīrtha, Ulūpī-saṃvāda, and Arjuna’s Dharma-Deliberation (गङ्गाद्वार-तीर्थम्, उलूपी-संवादः)
विकर्ण च महेष्वासं चित्रसेनं च भारत । द्रोणं च परमेष्वासं गौतमं कृपमेव च,भारत! विकर्ण, महान् धनुर्धर चित्रसेन, विशाल धनुषवाले द्रोणाचार्य, गौतमवंशी कृपाचार्य आदि भेजे गये थे
vikarṇaṃ ca maheṣvāsaṃ citrasenaṃ ca bhārata | droṇaṃ ca parameṣvāsaṃ gautamaṃ kṛpam eva ca ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Bhārata, Vikarṇa—the great archer—along with Citrasena, and Droṇa, the supreme bowman, and also Kṛpa of the Gautama lineage—these were sent (summoned/dispatched).” The verse underscores the deliberate mobilization of eminent warriors, suggesting a calculated escalation in which renowned teachers and princes are drawn into the unfolding conflict, raising the ethical weight of the decisions being made.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the summoning of celebrated archers and revered teachers intensifies the moral stakes of political decisions: when eminent figures are mobilized, the conflict is no longer private—it becomes a matter of collective dharma, reputation, and far-reaching consequence.
Vaiśampāyana lists notable warriors—Vikarṇa, Citrasena, Droṇa, and Kṛpa—indicating that they were dispatched or called upon, signaling an organized preparation involving elite fighters and authoritative martial teachers.