Shloka 33
Rukmī’s Offer of Aid and Arjuna’s Refusal (रुक्मिप्रस्तावः—अर्जुनप्रत्याख्यानम्)
वर्धमानो जयाशोीर्भिनिर्यियौ सैनिकैर्वृत: । आपगेय॑ पुरस्कृत्य भ्रातृभि: सहितस्तदा
vardhamāno jayāśīrbhir niryayau sainikair vṛtaḥ | āpageyaṃ puraskṛtya bhrātṛbhiḥ sahitas tadā ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。かくして勝利の吉祥なる祝福が唱えられる中、王は軍勢に囲まれて出立した。アーパゲーヤ（ビーシュマ）を先頭に立て、その時、兄弟たちとともに進み出た。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political and military decisions are publicly sanctified through auspicious rites and victory-blessings, creating an appearance of righteousness. It invites reflection on the ethical tension between ritual legitimacy and the underlying justice of the cause—an important Mahābhārata theme where dharma is not guaranteed by ceremony alone.
After receiving victory-benedictions, the Kaurava king departs from the city with his forces. Bhīṣma, called Āpageya, is placed at the head of the march, and the king proceeds together with his brothers, signaling the formal commencement of the war-bound movement.