Shloka 23
Adhyāya 152: Kaurava-sainyavibhāgaḥ
Division and Standardization of the Kaurava Host
पदातयश्च पुरुषा: शस्त्राणि विविधानि च | उपाजहु: शरीरेषु हेमचित्राण्यनेकश:,पैदल योद्धाओंने भी अपने अंगोंमें सुवर्णजटित कवच तथा भाँति-भाँतिके अनेक अस्त्र-शस्त्र धारण कर लिये
padātayaś ca puruṣāḥ śastrāṇi vividhāni ca | upājahuḥ śarīreṣu hemacitrāṇy anekaśaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Les fantassins aussi s’équipèrent de multiples façons : ils prirent des armes diverses et couvrirent leurs corps, à maintes reprises, d’armures incrustées et ornées d’or. La scène souligne une préparation à la guerre, délibérée et organisée, où la splendeur extérieure et l’ardeur martiale signalent la gravité du conflit à venir et la résolution commune des troupes.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the seriousness and inevitability of the approaching war: disciplined preparation and collective mobilization are shown through the infantry arming themselves. Ethically, it frames the conflict as a moment where choices have consequences—once armies are fully equipped, reconciliation becomes harder and the burden of dharma grows heavier.
Vaiśampāyana describes the troops’ mobilization: even the foot-soldiers don gold-ornamented armor and take up a variety of weapons, indicating a large-scale, organized readiness for battle.