Shloka 16
भीष्म-द्रोणादिभिः पाण्डवसेनाक्षयकाल-निर्णयः | Time-estimates for the depletion of the Pāṇḍava forces
Bhīṣma–Droṇa council
तत्र ते पृथिवीपाला यथोत्साहं यथाबलम् | विविशु: शिबिराण्यत्र द्रव्यवन्ति सहस्रश:
tatra te pṛthivīpālā yathotsāhaṃ yathābalam | viviśuḥ śibirāṇy atra dravyavanti sahasraśaḥ ||
Là, ces rois, chacun selon son ardeur et sa puissance, entrèrent et prirent quartier dans les campements—par milliers—abondamment pourvus de provisions nécessaires et précieuses, demeurant prêts pour la guerre. La scène souligne comment le pouvoir du monde s’organise par les ressources et la préparation, tandis que le conflit à venir pose la question de savoir si une telle mobilisation s’accorde avec le dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the practical side of kṣatriya politics—enthusiasm, strength, and material provisioning determine readiness for war—while implicitly setting the stage for the ethical tension of whether such vast preparation serves dharma or accelerates adharma.
Vaiśampāyana describes many allied kings arriving and settling into thousands of well-stocked military camps, each taking position according to his capability, poised for the impending conflict.