Shloka 29
Chapter 49: Sañjaya’s Enumeration of the Pāṇḍava Coalition (पाण्डवसैन्यसमागम-वर्णनम्)
यः प्रतीचीं दिशं चक्रे वशे म्लेच्छणणायुताम् । स तत्र नकुलो योद्धा चित्रयोधी व्यवस्थित:,कुरुनन्दन! जिन्होंने सहसौरों म्लेच्छोंसे भरी हुई पश्चिम दिशाको जीतकर अपने अधीन कर लिया था, वे विचित्र रीतिसे युद्ध करनेमें कुशल योद्धा नकुल उधरसे युद्धके लिये तैयार खड़े हैं। माद्रीकुमार नकुल महान् धनुर्धर और अत्यन्त दर्शनीय वीर हैं। उनके बलसे पाण्डवोंने आपलोगोंपर आक्रमणकी तैयारी की है
yaḥ pratīcīṁ diśaṁ cakre vaśe mleccha-gaṇāyutām | sa tatra nakulo yoddhā citra-yodhī vyavasthitaḥ, kuru-nandana |
Sañjaya said: “He who brought under his control the western quarter, teeming with countless bands of Mlecchas—Nakula, that warrior skilled in fighting by varied and unconventional methods—now stands there ready for battle, O delight of the Kurus. The son of Mādrī, Nakula, a great archer and a strikingly splendid hero, is stationed for the fight; relying on his strength, the Pāṇḍavas have made their preparations to assail you.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya readiness and strategic competence: a leader’s prior conquests and disciplined deployment in war become moral-political capital, signaling responsibility to protect one’s side and to act decisively when conflict becomes unavoidable.
Sañjaya reports to the Kuru side that Nakula—renowned for subduing the western regions populated by many Mleccha groups—has taken his position and stands prepared for battle, indicating the Pāṇḍavas’ organized and confident war preparations.