Shloka 11
Kuntī’s Benediction to Draupadī and the Alliance Gifts (कुन्त्याः स्नुषाशीर्-वचनम् तथा दान-प्रतिग्रहः)
ते तत्र शूरा: कथयाम्बभूवुः कथा विचित्रा: पृतनाधिकारा: । अस्त्राणि दिव्यानि रथांश्व नागान् खडगान् गदाश्षापि परश्वधांश्ष,वे शूरवीर पाण्डव वहाँ सेनापतियोंके योग्य अद्भुत कथाएँ कहने लगे। उन्होंने नाना प्रकारके दिव्यास्त्रों, रथों, हाथियों, तलवारों, गदाओं और फरसोंके विषयमें भी चर्चाएँ कीं
te tatra śūrāḥ kathayāṃ babhūvuḥ kathā vicitrāḥ pṛtanādhikārāḥ | astrāṇi divyāni rathāṃś ca aśvān nāgān khaḍgān gadāś cāpi paraśvadhāṃś ca ||
There, those valiant men—fit to command armies—began exchanging many wondrous accounts. They discussed celestial weapons and also chariots, horses, elephants, swords, maces, and battle-axes, as warriors do when preparing their minds and skills for war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of disciplined preparedness: leaders fit to command armies cultivate knowledge of weapons and warfare through informed discussion, aligning skill, responsibility, and readiness for the duties of conflict.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that the assembled heroes, qualified as military commanders, engage in varied and impressive conversations—specifically about divine weapons and the practical instruments of war such as chariots, horses, elephants, swords, maces, and axes.