Shloka 5
Śakuntalā’s Satya-Discourse and the Recognition of Bharata (शकुन्तला–सत्योपदेशः; भरतप्रतिग्रहः)
खड्गशक्तिधरैवीरिर्गदामुसलपाणिभि: । प्रासतोमरहस्तैश्व ययौ योधशतैर्वृत:,जब राजाने यात्रा की, उस समय खड्ग, शक्ति, गदा, मुसल, प्रास और तोमर हाथमें लिये सैकड़ों योद्धा उन्हें घेरे हुए थे
khaḍgaśaktidharair vīrair gadāmusalapāṇibhiḥ | prāsatomarahastaiś ca yayau yodhaśatair vṛtaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When the king set out on his journey, he proceeded surrounded by hundreds of warriors—heroes bearing swords and spears, with maces and pestles in hand, and others holding lances and javelins. The scene underscores royal duty and the ethic of protection: a ruler’s movement is safeguarded not for display alone, but to uphold order and security in a world where power must be restrained by responsibility.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethic of kingship: a ruler must be protected and supported by disciplined force so that governance, justice, and public safety can be maintained. Martial power is presented as an instrument of order, not mere aggression.
The king sets out on a journey, accompanied by a large armed escort. The text lists the weapons carried—swords, spears, maces, pestles, lances, and javelins—to convey the scale and readiness of the royal retinue.