Shloka 40
Chapter 49: Sañjaya’s Enumeration of the Pāṇḍava Coalition (पाण्डवसैन्यसमागम-वर्णनम्)
य आसीच्छरणं काले पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम् | रणे तेन विराटेन भविता व: समागम:,जो अज्ञातवासके समय महात्मा पाण्डवोंके आश्रयदाता थे, उन राजा विराटके साथ भी आपलोगोंका युद्ध होगा
ya āsīc charaṇaṃ kāle pāṇḍavānāṃ mahātmanām | raṇe tena virāṭena bhavitā vaḥ samāgamaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “He who, at the time of need, became the refuge and protector of the great-souled Pāṇḍavas—against that very King Virāṭa too, you will have an encounter in battle.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of war: political conflict can force confrontation even with those who once offered protection. It implicitly underscores the value of remembering benefaction and the tragic reach of adharma-driven hostilities.
Sañjaya informs Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s side that the coming war will draw in allies of the Pāṇḍavas, including King Virāṭa, who had earlier sheltered them during their period of concealment; thus, the Kauravas will also face Virāṭa in battle.