Shloka 29
Omens in the Kuru Host and Droṇa’s Recognition of Arjuna (क्लीबवेषधारी पार्थ-परिज्ञानम्)
पाज्चालिकार्थ चित्राणि सूक्ष्माणि च मृदूनि च । विजित्य संग्रामगतान् भीष्मद्रोणमुखान् कुरून्,उस समय उत्तरा और उसकी सखीरूपा दूसरी राजकन्याओंने कहा--“बृहन्नले! तुम युद्धभूमिमें आये हुए भीष्म, द्रोण आदि प्रमुख कौरववीरोंको जीतकर हमारी गुड़ियोंके लिये उनके महीन, कोमल और विचित्र रंगके सुन्दर-सुन्दर वस्त्र ले आना”
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
pāñcālikārthaṃ citrāṇi sūkṣmāṇi ca mṛdūni ca |
vijitya saṃgrāmagatān bhīṣmadroṇamukhān kurūn ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。パーンチャーラの王女ウッタラーのために、若き王家の乙女たちはこう願った。「おお、ブリハンナーラーよ。戦場に来たクル族の勇士たち――ビーマとドローナを先頭とする者ども――を戦いで打ち破り、私たちの人形のために、きめ細かく柔らかで、色彩もあでやかな美しい衣を持ち帰ってください。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral contrast: war’s deadly seriousness is juxtaposed with sheltered palace innocence. It also reflects confidence in righteous strength—Arjuna (as Bṛhannalā) is expected to overcome even the foremost warriors, suggesting that true capability and dharma can operate even under concealment.
During the Virāṭa episode, Uttarā and her companion princesses speak to Bṛhannalā (Arjuna in disguise), asking him to defeat the Kuru champions—Bhīṣma and Droṇa among them—and bring back fine, soft, colorful clothes as playthings for their dolls.