Shloka 18
भीष्मशिबिरगमनम् — Duryodhana’s Visit to Bhīṣma’s Camp and the Command Appeal
कामवर्णजवैरश्वैरबहुभि: संवृतो नूप । ते हया: काञठ्चनापीडा नानावर्णा मनोजवा:
kāmavarṇajavair aśvair bahubhiḥ saṃvṛto nṛpa | te hayāḥ kāñcanāpīḍā nānāvarṇā manojavāḥ naraśreṣṭha ||
नरेश्वर! इरावान के साथ इच्छानुसार रूप-रंग और वेग वाले बहुत-से घोड़े थे। वे सब स्वर्ण-शिरोभूषण धारण किए, मन के समान वेगवान और अनेक रंगों वाले थे।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily paints a narrative image rather than stating a direct moral: the abundance, variety, and disciplined readiness of royal resources (swift, well-adorned horses) underscore how power and preparation are marshaled for war—hinting that external splendor serves the larger, ethically fraught arena of dharma and conflict.
Sañjaya describes to the king a warrior (contextually connected with Irāvān in the given gloss) being attended by many excellent horses—of desired colors and speeds—adorned with golden head-gear and moving with mind-like swiftness, emphasizing the grandeur and readiness of the forces on the battlefield.