Shloka 9
धृतराष्ट उवाच संजयाचक्ष्व येनास्मान् पाण्डवा अभ्ययुञ्जत । धृष्टद्युम्नस्य सैन्येन सोमकानां बलेन च,धृतराष्ट्रने पूछा--संजय! बताओ, पाण्डवलोग धृष्टद्युम्मनकी सेना तथा अन्यान्य सोमकवंशियोंकी विशाल वाहिनीके सिवा और किस-किसकी सहायता पाकर हमलोगोंके साथ युद्ध करनेको उद्यत हुए हैं?
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | sañjayācakṣva yenāsmān pāṇḍavā abhyayuñjata | dhṛṣṭadyumnasya sainyena somakānāṃ balena ca ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Sañjaya, tell me by whose support the Pāṇḍavas have advanced to confront us—besides the army of Dhṛṣṭadyumna and the strength of the Somakas. On what other allies do they rely as they prepare for war against us?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war is shaped not only by personal valor but by networks of alliance and support; it also reflects a ruler’s moral and political anxiety when conflict becomes imminent and the balance of forces must be assessed.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Sañjaya about the Pāṇḍavas’ military backing, asking which allies—beyond Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s forces and the Somakas—have joined them as they move to engage the Kauravas.