Shloka 1
Kurukṣetra-anudarśanam — Rāma-hradāḥ and the Question of Kṣatra Continuity (शान्ति पर्व, अध्याय ४८)
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके ३३ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल १४२ श्लोक हैं) 3: >---"क्रज> . सामान्यतः कर्ममात्रको प्रकाशित करनेवाले मन्त्रोंको “वाक” कहते हैं। . मन्त्रोंके अर्थको खोलकर बतानेवाले ब्राह्मणग्रन्थोंके जो वाक्य हैं
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca | tataḥ sa ca hṛṣīkeśaḥ sa ca rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | kṛpādayaś ca te sarve catvāraḥ pāṇḍavāś ca te | dhvajapatākābhiḥ suśobhitaiḥ śīghragāmibhir aśvaiḥ saṃyuktaiḥ nagarākārair mahārathaiḥ śīghrataraṃ kurukṣetraṃ prati jagmuḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Thereafter Hṛṣīkeśa (Śrī Kṛṣṇa) and King Yudhiṣṭhira, along with Kṛpa and the other elders, and the remaining four Pāṇḍavas, set out swiftly toward Kurukṣetra. Their great chariots—vast as moving cities—were drawn by fast horses and adorned with banners and pennants.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical inquiry through action: leaders and elders move together toward Kurukṣetra, implying that reflection on dharma and the consequences of violence is not abstract but must be faced where deeds occurred, with guidance (Kṛṣṇa, elders) accompanying royal responsibility (Yudhiṣṭhira).
After the preceding discussion, Kṛṣṇa, Yudhiṣṭhira, Kṛpa, and the other Pāṇḍavas depart quickly in large, bannered chariots drawn by swift horses, traveling toward Kurukṣetra.