Shloka 33
Sainyasaṅgraha and Bhāga-Vyavasthā (Forces Assembled and Rival Allocations) | सैन्यसंग्रह-भागव्यवस्था
काशयश्नेदयश्नैव मत्स्या: सर्वे च सूंजया: । विराटपुत्रो बश्रुश्न॒ पञ्चालाश्व प्रभद्रका:
kāśayaś cedayaś caiva matsyāḥ sarve ca sūñjayāḥ | virāṭaputro bāhlīkaś ca pañcālāś ca prabhadrakāḥ, sañjaya ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “The Kāśis and the Cedis, all the Matsyas and the Sūñjayas, along with the son of Virāṭa, and the Pāñcālas and the Prabhadrakas as well—these too, Sañjaya, stand ready.” In context, the blind king is forced to face the moral and strategic reality: many powerful allies have rallied to the Pāṇḍavas, yet his own son, driven by wrongdoing and obstinacy, still insists on war.
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that when a cause is aligned with dharma, support gathers from many quarters; ignoring this reality out of attachment and wrongdoing leads to ruin. Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s awareness of the Pāṇḍavas’ strong backing highlights the ethical cost of enabling adharma.
In Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation phase, Sañjaya reports the forces and allies assembling. Dhṛtarāṣṭra reacts by noting additional allied groups—Kāśis, Cedis, Matsyas, Sūñjayas, Virāṭa’s son, Pāñcālas, and Prabhadrakas—who are prepared for battle on the Pāṇḍava side.