Shloka 16
आदि पर्व — द्रौपदी-स्वयंवरानन्तरवृत्तम्
Aftermath of Draupadī’s Svayaṃvara
बृहद्धल: सुषेणश्च शिबिरौशीनरस्तथा । पटच्चरनिहन्ता च कारूषाधिपतिस्तथा,महाबली सुषेण, उशीनरदेशीय शिबि तथा चोर-डाकुओंको मार डालनेवाले कारूषाधिपति भी यहाँ आये हैं। इधर संकर्षण, वासुदेव, (भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण) रुक्मिणीनन्दन पराक्रमी प्रद्युम्न, साम्ब, चारुदेष्ण, प्रद्युम्मकुमार अनिरुद्ध, श्रीकृष्णके बड़े भाई गद, अक्रूर, सात्यकि, परम बुद्धिमान् उद्धव, हृदिकपुत्र कृतकर्मा, पृथु, विपृथु, विदूरथ, कंक, शंकु, गवेषण, आशावह, अनिरुद्ध, शमीक, सारिमेजय, वीर, वातपति, झिल्लीपिण्डारक तथा पराक्रमी उशीनर--ये सब वृष्णिवंशी कहे गये हैं
bṛhaddhalaḥ suṣeṇaś ca śibirauśīnaras tathā | paṭaccaranihantā ca kārūṣādhipatis tathā ||
Dhṛṣṭadyumna said: “Bṛhaddhala and Suṣeṇa have arrived, and so too Śibi of the Uśīnara country. The ruler of Kāruṣa—renowned as a slayer of bandits and marauders—has also come.” The verse functions as a roll-call of notable allies, emphasizing the gathering of capable leaders and protectors of social order in preparation for the larger conflict.
धृष्टह्युम्न उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a kingly duty aligned with dharma: capable rulers are praised not merely for power but for protecting society—here symbolized by the suppression of banditry and disorder—while also stressing the importance of assembling righteous and competent allies.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna is enumerating prominent figures who have arrived—Bṛhaddhala, Suṣeṇa, Śibi of the Uśīnara region, and the Kāruṣa ruler known for destroying marauders—signaling the consolidation of forces and leadership for the impending struggle.