Shloka 31
Chapter 49: Sañjaya’s Enumeration of the Pāṇḍava Coalition (पाण्डवसैन्यसमागम-वर्णनम्)
य: काशीनड्रमगन् कलिड्रांश्न युधाजयत् । तेन व: सहदेवेन पाण्डवा अभ्ययुञ्जत,जिन्होंने युद्धमें काशी, अंग, मगध तथा कलिंग-देशके राजाओंको पराजित किया है, उन वीरवर सहदेवके बलसे पाण्डव आपलोगोंसे भिड़नेके लिये तैयार हुए हैं
yaḥ kāśīn aṅgān magadhān kaliṅgāṃś ca yudhājayat | tena vaḥ sahadevena pāṇḍavā abhyayuñjata ||
Sañjaya said: “The Pāṇḍavas have readied themselves to engage you in battle, relying on the might of Sahadeva—he who has already subdued in war the kings of Kāśī, Aṅga, Magadha, and Kaliṅga.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the political-ethical logic of kṣatriya life in the epic: legitimacy and deterrence in conflict are reinforced by demonstrated prowess. Sañjaya highlights Sahadeva’s prior victories to frame the Pāṇḍavas as capable and resolute, implying that war is not entered lightly but with proven strength and strategic backing.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍavas are prepared to confront the Kaurava side, drawing confidence from Sahadeva’s military record—his earlier subjugation of the rulers of Kāśī, Aṅga, Magadha, and Kaliṅga.