Shloka 176
Adhyāya 152: Kaurava-sainyavibhāgaḥ
Division and Standardization of the Kaurava Host
हृष्टरूपा महात्मानो निवासाय महीक्षिताम् । “आज ही यह घोषणा करा दी जाय कि कल खबेरे ही युद्धके लिये प्रस्थान करना है। इसमें विलम्ब नहीं होना चाहिये।' दुर्योधनका यह आदेश सुनकर “बहुत अच्छा--ऐसा ही होगा” यह प्रतिज्ञा करके महामना कर्ण आदिने अत्यन्त प्रसन्न होकर सबेरा होते ही राजाओंके निवासके लिये शिविर बनवाने आरम्भ कर दिये
vaiśampāyana uvāca | hṛṣṭarūpā mahātmāno nivāsāya mahīkṣitām | “adyaiva iyaṃ ghoṣaṇā karā dīyate yat śvaḥ prātaḥ eva yuddhāya prasthātavyaṃ; atra vilambo na kartavyaḥ” iti | duryodhanasya etad ājñāṃ śrutvā “bahu sādhu—tathaiva bhaviṣyati” iti pratijñāya mahāmanā karṇādayaḥ paramaprasannāḥ prātaḥkāle eva rājñāṃ nivāsārthaṃ śibirāṇi kārayitum ārabdhavantaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The great-hearted men, their spirits uplifted, set about arranging quarters for the kings. Duryodhana commanded that a proclamation be made at once: “Let it be announced today itself that tomorrow at daybreak we must march for war; there must be no delay.” Hearing this order, the high-minded Karṇa and the others, exceedingly pleased, vowed, “Very well—so it shall be,” and at dawn began having camps prepared for the kings’ lodging.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how decisive leadership and public vows can rapidly mobilize a polity toward conflict. Ethically, it points to the danger of haste and collective enthusiasm in war-making—once a proclamation and pledge are made, momentum can override deliberation and restraint.
Duryodhana orders an immediate public announcement that the army must depart for war at dawn the next day, with no delay. Karṇa and the others approve, vow to carry it out, and begin arranging camps and lodging for the assembled kings.