Shloka 5
Sainyasaṅgraha and Bhāga-Vyavasthā (Forces Assembled and Rival Allocations) | सैन्यसंग्रह-भागव्यवस्था
द्रुपदो वर्धयन् मानं शिखण्डिपरिपालित: । उपायात् सर्वसैन्यानां प्रतिच्छाद्य तदा वपु:
sañjaya uvāca | drupado vardhayan mānaṃ śikhaṇḍi-paripālitaḥ | upāyāt sarva-sainyānāṃ praticchādya tadā vapuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “Protected by Śikhaṇḍin, King Drupada arrived then, enhancing honor and confidence, having covered the bodies of all his troops with armor—coming with his full force to strengthen Yudhiṣṭhira’s standing.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic ethic of loyal alliance: support for a rightful cause is expressed through protection, organization, and readiness. Honor (māna) is strengthened not by boastful speech but by disciplined safeguarding of one’s people and steadfast commitment to one’s pledged side.
Sañjaya reports that Drupada, under Śikhaṇḍin’s protection, arrives with his forces. The troops are described as fully equipped—clad in protective gear—signaling that Drupada has come to bolster the Pandava side and raise Yudhiṣṭhira’s standing through tangible military support.