Shloka 18
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय १५१: कृष्णस्य कौरव-अवज्ञा-निर्णयः तथा पाण्डव-योगाज्ञा
Krishna on the Kauravas’ Rejection of Counsel; Pandava Readiness Ordered
चरितन्रह्मचर्यास्ते सोमपा भूरिदक्षिणा: । जयाय पाण्दुपुत्राणां समाजम्मुर्महीक्षित:
carita-brahmacaryās te somapā bhūri-dakṣiṇāḥ | jayāya pāṇḍu-putrāṇāṁ samājam ūrm-mahīkṣitaḥ ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Aquellos reyes—que habían observado debidamente el voto de brahmacarya, que habían bebido el Soma en los sacrificios y que habían otorgado abundantes dádivas sacerdotales—se reunieron en el campo de Kurukṣetra, congregándose por la victoria de los hijos de Pāṇḍu.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links political and military support to dharmic credentials: rulers who practiced self-restraint (brahmacarya) and upheld sacrificial generosity (Soma rites with abundant dakṣiṇā) align themselves with the righteous cause, suggesting that legitimate power is strengthened by discipline and giving.
As the war approaches, many kings renowned for vows, sacrificial participation, and generosity gather at Kurukṣetra, forming an assembly with the expressed aim of securing victory for the Pāṇḍavas.