Shloka 23
Vāraṇāvata-praveśa and Jatugṛha-saṃdeha
Entry into Vāraṇāvata and Suspicion of the Lac-House
ततो बद्धाड्गुलित्राणा बद्धकक्षा महारथा: । बद्धतूणा: सधनुषो विविशुर्भरतर्षभा:,उसके बाद भरतवंशियोंमें श्रेष्ठ वे वीर राजकुमार बड़े-बड़े रथोंके साथ दस्ताने पहने, कमर कसे, पीठपर तूणीर बाँधे और धनुष लिये हुए उस रंगमण्डपके भीतर आये
tato baddhāṅgulitrāṇā baddhakakṣā mahārathāḥ | baddhatūṇāḥ sadhanūṣo viviśur bharatarṣabhāḥ ||
Then those bull-like scions of Bharata—great warriors mounted on mighty chariots—entered the arena pavilion, their finger-guards fastened, their waists tightly girded, quivers strapped on their backs, and bows in hand. The scene underscores disciplined readiness: martial skill is presented not as rash violence, but as trained, orderly preparedness within a public and rule-bound setting.
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined preparedness and adherence to martial protocol: strength is framed through training, equipment, and orderly conduct in a regulated public setting—an aspect of kṣatriya-dharma where power is meant to be exercised with restraint and responsibility.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra describes the royal warriors entering the arena pavilion for a formal display or contest, fully equipped—finger-guards on, waists girded, quivers strapped, bows in hand—arriving in their chariots as elite fighters.