Shloka 8
एते रथा नरव्याप्रा: सर्वशस्त्रसमन्विता: । धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राणां विमला: काज्चनध्वजा:
ete rathā naravyāprāḥ sarvaśastrasamanvitāḥ | dhṛtarāṣṭrasya putrāṇāṁ vimalāḥ kāñcanadhvajāḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira berkata: “Inilah kereta-kereta perang, diawaki para kesatria cakap dan diperlengkapi dengan segala macam senjata. Kereta-kereta ini milik putra-putra Dhṛtarāṣṭra—tampak tanpa cela, dengan panji-panji emas.”
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights clear-eyed recognition of worldly power and preparedness. Ethically, it suggests that discernment—seeing the opponent’s strength without denial—is part of responsible conduct, especially when choices must be made under the demands of kṣatriya duty.
Yudhiṣṭhira is identifying and describing the chariots of Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons, noting that they are manned by able warriors, fully armed, and marked by shining golden standards—an observation that underscores the Kauravas’ martial resources.