Shloka 31
चेकितानश्न विक्रान्तो धृष्टकेतुश्च चेदिप: । द्रपद: काशिराजश्न शिखण्डी च महारथ:,क्षत्रियशिरोमणे! श्रीकृष्णके जाते समय उन्हें पहुँचानेके लिये कुन्तीपुत्र युधिष्ठिर उनके पीछे-पीछे चले। साथ ही भीमसेन, अर्जुन, माद्रीके दोनों पुत्र पाण्डुकुमार नकुल-सहदेव, पराक्रमी चेकितान, चेदिराज धुृष्टकेतु, ट्रपद, काशिराज, महारथी शिखण्डी, धृष्टट्युम्न, पुत्रों और केकयोंसहित राजा विराट--ये सभी क्षत्रिय अभीष्ट कार्यकी सिद्धि एवं शिष्टाचारका पालन करनेके लिये उनके पीछे गये
Vaishampāyana uvāca |
Cekitānaś ca vikrānto Dhṛṣṭaketuś ca Cedi-paḥ |
Drupadaḥ Kāśirājaś ca Śikhaṇḍī ca mahā-rathaḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: The valiant Cekitāna, and Dhṛṣṭaketu, the king of Cedi; Drupada, and the king of Kāśi; and Śikhaṇḍī, the great chariot-warrior—these eminent kṣatriyas followed behind, accompanying the foremost leaders in accordance with proper royal conduct and with the aim of accomplishing the intended mission.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma expressed as disciplined companionship: allies proceed together to fulfill a shared purpose while observing proper conduct (maryādā/ācāra). Duty is shown not only in battle-readiness but also in respectful, orderly support of leadership.
Vaiśampāyana lists prominent allied warriors and kings—Cekitāna, Dhṛṣṭaketu of Cedi, Drupada, the king of Kāśi, and Śikhaṇḍī—who are moving in attendance behind the principal figures, indicating a coordinated escort/retinue and the gathering of forces and supporters in the Udyoga (preparatory) phase.