Shloka 13
खरस्य सैन्योद्योगः
Khara Mobilizes the Janasthana Host
इति तस्य ब्रुवाणस्य सूर्यवर्णं महारथम्।सदश्वैश्शबलैर्युक्तमाचचक्षेऽथ दूषणः।।3.22.13।।
iti tasya bruvāṇasya sūryavarṇaṃ mahāratham |
sadaśvaiḥ śabalair yuktaṃ ācacakṣe ’tha dūṣaṇaḥ || 3.22.13 ||
ഖരൻ ഇങ്ങനെ സംസാരിക്കുമ്പോൾ, ദൂഷണൻ സൂര്യവർണ്ണമുള്ള മഹാരഥം കാണിച്ചു—വലിയ രഥം; വർണ്ണവൈവിധ്യമുള്ള ഉത്തമ അശ്വങ്ങൾ കെട്ടിയിട്ട് സജ്ജമായി നിന്നിരുന്നു.
While Khara was speaking thus, Dusana reported that a huge chariot of the colour of the Sun yoked with good horses of variegated hues stood ready.
FAQs
The verse shows how resolve quickly turns into action; ethically, it foreshadows that power and readiness (a splendid chariot, strong horses) are value-neutral and must be governed by dharma, otherwise they become instruments of adharma.
Khara is speaking and preparing for confrontation; Dūṣaṇa reports that the main chariot is ready for departure.
Operational readiness and prompt reporting (Dūṣaṇa’s quick indication), though placed in the service of an unrighteous campaign.