Shloka 38
Kaurava Mobilization at Kurukṣetra (Duryodhana Orders War Preparations) / कुरुक्षेत्रे धार्तराष्ट्र-सैन्यसज्जा
रात्रे: शेषे व्यतिक्रान्ते प्रयास्यामो रणाजिरम् । अधिवासितश्त्राश्व॒ कृतकौतुकमड़ला:
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | rātreḥ śeṣe vyatikrānte prayāsyāmo raṇājiram | adhivāsita-śastrāśvaḥ kṛta-kautuka-maṇḍalāḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “When the remainder of the night has passed, we shall set out for the battlefield. Having performed the consecratory rites for our weapons and horses, and having completed the protective and auspicious ceremonies, we will proceed to the field of war under Kṛṣṇa’s guidance.”
युधिषछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when war becomes unavoidable, action should be undertaken with restraint, order, and dharmic intention—seeking wise guidance (here, Kṛṣṇa) and beginning with rites that symbolize responsibility, protection, and auspicious resolve rather than impulsive violence.
On the eve of departure for battle, Yudhiṣṭhira states that once the night ends they will march to the battlefield, but only after completing customary preparations: consecrating weapons and horses and performing protective and auspicious ceremonies, then proceeding under Kṛṣṇa’s leadership.