Shloka 16
Adhyāya 152: Kaurava-sainyavibhāgaḥ
Division and Standardization of the Kaurava Host
विविधायुधपूर्णानि पताकाध्वजवन्ति च । समाश्ष तेषां पन्थान: क्रियन्तां नगराद् बहि:
vaśiṣṭha uvāca |
vividhāyudhapūrṇāni patākādhvajavanti ca |
samāśṣ teṣāṃ panthānaḥ kriyantāṃ nagarād bahiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Que ces campements soient bien pourvus de toutes sortes d’armes et d’équipements, et ornés de bannières et d’étendards. Et depuis l’extérieur de la cité, qu’on aménage de nombreuses routes droites et planes pour atteindre ces camps.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights practical dharma of governance in wartime: preparedness, clear organization, and orderly access routes. Ethical conduct in conflict includes minimizing chaos and ensuring disciplined arrangements rather than reckless violence.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation context, instructions are being given for setting up military camps—stocking them with arms, marking them with banners/standards, and constructing straight, level roads from outside the city to facilitate movement and coordination.