Shloka 8
चन्द्रप्रभं श्वेतमथातपत्र सौवर्णसख्रग् भ्राजति चोत्तमाड़े । त॑ सर्वतः शकुनि: पर्वतीयै: सार्थ गान्धारैर्याति गान्धारराज:,उसके मस्तकपर चन्द्रमाके समान कान्तिमान् श्वेत छत्र तना हुआ था और कण्ठमें सोनेकी माला सुशोभित हो रही थी। गान्धारराज शकुनि गान्धारदेशके पर्वतीय योद्धाओंके साथ आकर दुर्योधनको सब ओरसे घेरकर चल रहा था
sañjaya uvāca |
candraprabhaṁ śvetam athātapatraṁ sauvarṇa-srag bhrājati cottamāṅge |
taṁ sarvataḥ śakuniḥ parvataiyaiḥ sārthaṁ gāndhārair yāti gāndhāra-rājaḥ ||
サञ्जयは語った。月のごとく輝く白き天蓋（パラソル）がその上に高く掲げられ、黄金の花輪が頭上にきらめいていた。ガーンダーラ王シャクニは、ガーンダーラの山岳の戦士たちとともに進み、デュルヨーダナを四方から取り巻くように陣を運んだ――それは護衛を誇示する光景であると同時に、戦陣が形を成してゆく中で、カウラヴァの大義を囲む助言と影響の緊密な網をも暗示していた。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how outward symbols of sovereignty (parasol, gold garland) and the visible support of allies can project legitimacy and strength, yet it also suggests an ethical tension: power is being consolidated around a cause driven by ambition and contested dharma, where influence and counsel (notably Śakuni’s) shape the course toward conflict.
Sañjaya describes the Kaurava-side leaders and their formations: Śakuni, identified as the king of Gāndhāra, advances with Gāndhāra’s mountain warriors, moving in a way that surrounds and supports Duryodhana, while royal emblems—especially a moon-bright white parasol and a golden garland—mark the central figure’s prominence.