Shloka 24
अक्षविजय-प्रसङ्गः
Escalation of Wagers and Shakuni’s Repeated Declarations of Victory
समेत्य च महाबाहु: सोमदत्तेन चैव ह | दुर्योधनेन शल्येन सौबलेन च वीर्यवान्
sametya ca mahābāhuḥ somadattena caiva ha | duryodhanena śalyena saubalena ca vīryavān ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The mighty-armed, valiant one then came together with Somadatta, and indeed with Duryodhana, with Śalya, and with the Saubala (Śakuni).
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse implicitly contrasts mere accumulation of power with ethical governance: formidable allies can unite around a cause, yet if the cause is adharma-driven, such strength becomes a vehicle for injustice rather than protection.
A valiant figure (described as mahābāhu and vīryavān) is shown assembling with key Kaurava-aligned leaders—Somadatta, Duryodhana, Śalya, and Śakuni—signaling coordinated counsel and the tightening of Duryodhana’s political-military circle.