Shloka 15
Adhyāya 152: Kaurava-sainyavibhāgaḥ
Division and Standardization of the Kaurava Host
आसन्नजलकाष्ठानि शतशो5थ सहस्रश: । अच्छेद्याहारमार्गाणि बन्धोच्छूयचितानि च
āsannajalakāṣṭhāni śataśo ’tha sahasraśaḥ | acchedyāhāramārgāṇi bandhocchūyacitāni ca ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Ô roi, fais préparer sur le champ de Kurukṣetra des centaines, voire des milliers, de campements—spacieux selon le besoin, pourvus d’eau et de bois de feu à proximité, et disposés de sorte que l’ennemi ne puisse s’en emparer. Que leurs voies d’approvisionnement en vivres soient telles que les adversaires ne puissent les couper ni les détruire, et qu’ils soient protégés par des fortifications convenables.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes responsible kingship in wartime: safeguarding troops through practical logistics—secure camps, reliable access to water and fuel, protected supply lines, and defensive fortification—so that avoidable suffering and disorder do not arise from negligence.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration within the Udyoga Parva, preparations for the impending Kurukṣetra war are being described. The focus here is on organizing numerous well-supplied, defensible encampments and ensuring that provisions can be brought in without enemy disruption.