Shloka 17
द्रुपदवाक्यं
Drupada’s Counsel on Conciliation and Alliance Mobilization
आषाढो वायुवेगश्न पूर्वपाली च पार्थिव: । भूरितेजा देवकश्न॒ एकलव्य: सहात्मजै:
Āṣāḍho Vāyuvegāś ca Pūrvapālī ca pārthivaḥ | Bhūritejā Devakaś ca Ekalavyaḥ sahātmajaiḥ ||
Drupada said: “Āṣāḍha and Vāyuvega, and the king Pūrvapālī; Bhūritejas and Devaka; and Ekalavya together with his sons.”
दुपद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how political decisions and the pursuit of war draw not only individual rulers but also their families and successors into the consequences of conflict, highlighting the dharmic responsibility of kings to weigh alliances and warfare with foresight.
Drupada is enumerating notable kings/warriors aligned in the unfolding political-military mobilization before the Kurukṣetra war, naming figures such as Ekalavya and indicating that some come accompanied by their sons.