Shloka 16
Adhyāya 152: Kaurava-sainyavibhāgaḥ
Division and Standardization of the Kaurava Host
विविधायुधपूर्णानि पताकाध्वजवन्ति च । समाश्ष तेषां पन्थान: क्रियन्तां नगराद् बहि:,“उन शिविरोंको नाना प्रकारके अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंस भरपूर तथा ध्वजा-पताकाओंसे सुशोभित रखना चाहिये। शिविरोंका जो नगर बसाया जाय, उससे बाहर अनेक सीधे तथा समतल मार्ग उन शिविरोंमें जानेके लिये बनाये जायूँ
vaśiṣṭha uvāca |
vividhāyudhapūrṇāni patākādhvajavanti ca |
samāśṣ teṣāṃ panthānaḥ kriyantāṃ nagarād bahiḥ ||
Vaishampayana said: “Let those encampments be kept well supplied with many kinds of weapons and arms, and adorned with banners and standards. And from outside the city, let many straight, level roads be made to reach those camps.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights practical dharma of governance in wartime: preparedness, clear organization, and orderly access routes. Ethical conduct in conflict includes minimizing chaos and ensuring disciplined arrangements rather than reckless violence.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation context, instructions are being given for setting up military camps—stocking them with arms, marking them with banners/standards, and constructing straight, level roads from outside the city to facilitate movement and coordination.