Shloka 8
अनीकव्यूहप्रतिव्यूहः
Counter-deployment of Divisions and the Opening Tumult
ततः स वस्त्राणि तथैव गाश्न॒ फलानि पुष्पाणि तथैव निष्कान् | कुरूत्तमो ब्राह्मणसान्महात्मा कुर्वन् ययौ शक्र इवामरेश:,उस समय देवराज इन्द्रके समान तेजस्वी कुरुश्रेष्ठ महात्मा युधिष्ठिर बहुत-से वस्त्र, गाय, फल-फ़ूल और स्वर्णमय आभूषण ब्राह्मणोंको दान करते हुए आगे बढ़ रहे थे
tataḥ sa vastrāṇi tathaiva gāś ca phalāni puṣpāṇi tathaiva niṣkān | kurūttamo brāhmaṇān mahātmā kurvan yayau śakra ivāmareśaḥ ||
Then that great-souled best of the Kurus proceeded onward, bestowing upon the Brahmins garments, cows, fruits, flowers, and golden ornaments—radiant like Śakra (Indra), lord of the immortals. The scene underscores a kingly ethic: even on the brink of war, he upholds dharma through generosity and reverence toward the learned.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dāna as a practical expression of dharma: a righteous ruler maintains generosity, supports the learned, and preserves moral order even amid the pressures of impending conflict.
Sañjaya describes the Kurus’ foremost hero (understood as Yudhiṣṭhira) moving forward while distributing gifts—clothes, cows, fruits, flowers, and gold ornaments—to Brahmins, his splendor compared to Indra.