Shloka 18
Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ
Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit
योत्स्यन्ति युधि विक्रम्य शत्रुभिस्तव पार्थिव | गदाभिमरुसलै: शूलै: शस्त्रैरुच्चावचैस्तथा
yo'tsyanti yudhi vikramya śatrubhis tava pārthiva | gadābhimarusalaiḥ śūlaiḥ śastrair uccāvacais tathā (praharīṣyanti te vīrās tavāriṣu mahābalāḥ) |
Vaiśampāyana dit : « Ô roi, il est des troupes de Daityas et de Rākṣasas nées dans la lignée des kṣatriya ; alliées à tes ennemis, elles combattront sur le champ de bataille avec une hardiesse farouche. Ces guerriers puissants frapperont tes adversaires de gourdins, de masses, de lances et d’armes de toutes sortes—grandes et petites. »
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how warfare can draw in powerful, morally ambiguous forces: even beings classed as Daityas and Rākṣasas may appear within Kṣatriya society and, by choosing alliances, intensify conflict. It cautions that political enmity can attract destructive energies and escalate violence beyond ordinary human limits.
Vaiśampāyana describes to a king that formidable Daitya and Rākṣasa warriors—born among Kṣatriyas—will side with the king’s enemies and fight fiercely. He details their assault using maces, clubs, spears, and assorted weapons, emphasizing the scale and ferocity of the coming battle.