कृपं द्रोणं च शल्यं च सैन्धवं च जयद्रथम् | सुदक्षिणं च काम्बोजं कृतवर्माणमेव च
kṛpaṃ droṇaṃ ca śalyaṃ ca saindhavaṃ ca jayadratham | sudakṣiṇaṃ ca kāmbojaṃ kṛtavarmāṇam eva ca
Vaiśampāyana said: “(He named) Kṛpa, Droṇa, Śalya, the Sindhu prince Jayadratha, Sudakṣiṇa of Kāmboja, and Kṛtavarmā as well.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights that pivotal historical outcomes hinge on the agency of eminent individuals. By naming renowned warriors, it points to the ethical weight of leadership: skill and fame amplify responsibility, and one’s chosen allegiance in a dharma-crisis can shape widespread suffering or protection.
Vaiśampāyana is enumerating key warriors—major figures aligned for the coming conflict. The line functions as a roster of influential commanders, emphasizing the scale of mobilization and the strategic importance of these named fighters in the unfolding war.