Shloka 18
Adhyāya 152: Kaurava-sainyavibhāgaḥ
Division and Standardization of the Kaurava Host
ततस्ते पार्थिवा: सर्वे तच्छुत्वा राजशासनम्,काज्चनाड्डददीप्तांश्व चन्दनागुरुभूषितान् । तदनन्तर वहाँ आये हुए सब नरेश राजा दुर्योधनकी यह आज्ञा सुनकर रोषावेशसे परिपूर्ण हो चन्दन और अगुरुसे चर्चित तथा सोनेके भुजबंदोंसे प्रकाशित अपनी परिघके समान मोटी भुजाओंका धीरे-धीरे स्पर्श करते हुए बहुमूल्य आसनोंसे उठकर खड़े हो गये
tatas te pārthivāḥ sarve tac chrutvā rājaśāsanam | kāñcanāḍḍadadīptāṃś ca candanāgurubhūṣitān ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: Entonces todos aquellos reyes, al oír la orden del rey Duryodhana, se alzaron de sus asientos preciosos en un arrebato de ira. Sus brazos—gruesos como mazas de hierro, ungidos con pasta de sándalo y áloe, y relucientes por los brazaletes de oro—se movieron lentamente al tocarlos y flexionarlos, señal de que estaban listos para actuar bajo el mandato real y ante la presión creciente del conflicto.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how royal commands and collective honor-culture can rapidly inflame anger and propel leaders toward violence. It implicitly warns that obedience driven by wrath and prestige, rather than discernment and dharma, becomes a force that accelerates conflict.
After hearing Duryodhana’s order, the assembled kings react with indignation and readiness. They rise from their valuable seats, adorned with perfumes and gold armlets, and physically brace themselves—an outward sign that the court is shifting from deliberation toward action and confrontation.