Shloka 9
Sainyasaṅgraha and Bhāga-Vyavasthā (Forces Assembled and Rival Allocations) | सैन्यसंग्रह-भागव्यवस्था
केकया भ्रातर: पज्च सर्वे लोहितकध्वजा: । अक्षौहिणीपरिवृता: पाण्डवानभिसंश्रिता:,लाल रंगकी ध्वजावाले जो पाँचों भाई केकयराजकुमार हैं, वे सभी एक अक्षौहिणी सेनाके साथ पाण्डवोंकी सेवामें उपस्थित हुए हैं
kekayā bhrātaraḥ pañca sarve lohitakadhvajāḥ | akṣauhiṇīparivṛtāḥ pāṇḍavān abhisaṃśritāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: The five brothers of Kekaya, all bearing crimson banners, arrived surrounded by a full akṣauhiṇī of troops and placed themselves in attendance upon the Pāṇḍavas—an open declaration of allegiance.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed through chosen allegiance: powerful allies publicly commit to the Pāṇḍavas, suggesting that in times of moral crisis, neutrality fades and duty is shown by standing with the side one deems just.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the five Kekaya princes, identifiable by red banners, have arrived with an entire akṣauhiṇī and have aligned themselves with the Pāṇḍavas, strengthening their coalition on the eve of conflict.