Shloka 8
सेनासमागमः — The Convergence of Armies
मागधश्न जयत्सेनो जारासन्धिर्महाबल: । अक्षौहिण्यैव सैन्यस्य धर्मराजमुपागमत्,मागध वीर जयत्सेन और जरासंधका महाबली पुत्र सहदेव--ये दोनों एक अक्षौहिणी सेनाके साथ धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरके पास आये थे
māgadhaś ca jayatseno jarāsandhir mahābalaḥ | akṣauhiṇyā eva sainyasya dharmarājam upāgamat ||
മാഗധവീരൻ ജയത്സേനനും ജരാസന്ധന്റെ മഹാബലമുള്ള പുത്രൻ സഹദേവനും—ഈ ഇരുവരും ഒരു അക്ഷൗഹിണി സൈന്യവുമായി ധർമ്മരാജ യുദ്ധിഷ്ഠിരന്റെ അടുക്കൽ വന്നു।
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the approach to war, dharma operates through rightful allegiance and responsible support: rulers and princes choose sides, and their commitment is shown not merely by words but by concrete aid—here, the offering of an akṣauhiṇī—directed toward the figure identified with dharma (Yudhiṣṭhira).
Vaiśaṃpāyana reports that Jayatsena of Magadha and Sahadeva, the powerful son of Jarāsandha, arrive to meet Yudhiṣṭhira, bringing a full akṣauhiṇī of soldiers, indicating their decision to support him in the unfolding conflict.