Shloka 61

Kaurava Mobilization at Kurukṣetra (Duryodhana Orders War Preparations) / कुरुक्षेत्रे धार्तराष्ट्र-सैन्यसज्जा

Devanagari script

कृत्वा मूलप्रतीकारं गुल्मै: स्थावरजड़मै: । स्कन्धावारेण महता प्रययु: पाण्डुनन्दना:

Transliteration

kṛtvā mūlapratīkāraṃ gulmaiḥ sthāvarajaḍamaiḥ | skandhāvāreṇa mahatā prayayuḥ pāṇḍunandanāḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Having first put in place the essential measures of protection—through fixed, immovable defenses and through mobile arrangements—and having assembled a great encampment, the sons of Pāṇḍu set out. The verse underscores prudent governance: before movement or conflict, one must secure people and resources through well-planned fortification and vigilant organization.

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'kṛtvā', 'meaning': 'having done

• having made'}, {'term': 'mūla-pratīkāram', 'meaning': 'basic/primary countermeasures

• essential protective arrangements'}, {'term': 'gulmaiḥ', 'meaning': 'by gulmas

• also tactical detachments or defensive posts (context-dependent)'}, {'term': 'sthāvara', 'meaning': 'immovable

• fixed (e.g., walls, ramparts, moats)'}, {'term': 'jaḍa', 'meaning': 'inert

• rigid (here reinforcing the sense of fixed defenses)'}, {'term': 'skandhāvāreṇa', 'meaning': 'with an army-camp/encampment

• with the baggage-train and camp establishment'}, {'term': 'mahatā', 'meaning': 'great

• extensive'}, {'term': 'prayayūḥ', 'meaning': 'they departed

• they set forth'}, {'term': 'pāṇḍu-nandanāḥ', 'meaning': 'sons of Pāṇḍu

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Pāṇḍunandanāḥ (the Pāṇḍavas)
• skandhāvāra (army encampment)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Responsible leadership requires securing dependents and resources through essential protective measures—both fixed defenses and organized mobile vigilance—before undertaking major action such as travel or war.

What is happening in the narrative?

The Pāṇḍavas, after arranging necessary defenses and organizing a large camp with supplies and tents, depart—indicating a transition into organized military movement and readiness.