Shloka 21
Adhyāya 195 — Arjuna’s Capability and Restraint Regarding Divyāstras
Udyoga Parva
युधिष्ठिरो यत्र सैन्ये स्वयमेव बलार्णवे । तत्र ते पृथिवीपाला भूयिष्ठ॑ पर्यवस्थिता:
yudhiṣṭhiro yatra sainye svayam eva balārṇave | tatra te pṛthivīpālā bhūyiṣṭhaḥ paryavasthitāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Wo Yudhiṣṭhira selbst mitten im Heer stand—gleich einem Ozean der Kraft—dort versammelten sich die Könige der Erde in größter Zahl und bezogen rings um ihn ihre Stellungen. Die Szene zeigt, wie rechtmäßige Führung und als dharmisch empfundene Legitimität Verbündete anzieht, selbst wenn der Krieg unmittelbar bevorsteht.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical-political idea that dharmic authority and steady leadership attract support: many rulers choose to stand where Yudhiṣṭhira is present, suggesting confidence in his legitimacy and conduct even as conflict approaches.
Vaiśampāyana describes the military array: Yudhiṣṭhira is positioned within the Pāṇḍava host, likened to an ocean of power, and numerous kings assemble and take their stations around him, indicating a concentration of allied rulers at his side.