Shloka 11
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय १५१: कृष्णस्य कौरव-अवज्ञा-निर्णयः तथा पाण्डव-योगाज्ञा
Krishna on the Kauravas’ Rejection of Counsel; Pandava Readiness Ordered
राजेन्द्र! उस समय राजाओंके लिये सैकड़ों और हजारोंकी संख्यामें दुर्धर्ष एवं बहुमूल्य शिविर पृथक्-पृथक् बनवाये गये थे। उनके भीतर बहुत-से काष्ठों तथा प्रचुर मात्रामें भक्ष्य- भोज्य अन्न एवं पान-सामग्रीका संग्रह किया गया था। वे समस्त शिविर भूतलपर रहते हुए विमानोंके समान सुशोभित हो रहे थे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | rājendra! tadā rājñāṁ kṛte śatāni sahasrāṇi ca durdharṣāṇi bahumūlyāni śibirāṇi pṛthak-pṛthag kāritāni sma | teṣāṁ madhye bahūni kāṣṭhāni ca pracuraṁ bhakṣya-bhojyānnaṁ pāna-sāmagrī ca saṁgṛhītā āsīt | te sarve śibirā bhūtale sthitā api vimānānīva suśobhamānā babhūvuḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O best of kings, at that time hundreds and thousands of formidable, richly appointed encampments were constructed separately for the kings. Within them were stored abundant timber, plentiful supplies of food fit to be eaten and enjoyed, and all kinds of drink and provisions. Though set upon the earth, those camps shone splendidly, as if they were celestial aerial mansions.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic responsibility of rulers to provide orderly infrastructure—shelter, supplies, and security—especially in times of political tension. It also suggests that outward splendor and abundance can accompany impending conflict, reminding readers that prosperity and war-preparation often coexist in royal life.
Vaiśampāyana describes extensive preparations: separate, well-fortified and costly camps are built in vast numbers for assembled kings, stocked with timber and abundant food and drink. The encampments appear magnificent, likened to celestial vimānas despite being on the ground.