Shloka 32
Jarāsandha-nipātana, rāja-mokṣa, and rājasūya-sāhāyya-prārthanā
Jarāsandha’s fall, liberation of kings, and request for support
स तु सेनापतिं राजा सस्मार भरतर्षभ | कौशिक चित्रसेनं च तस्मिन् युद्ध उपस्थिते,भरतश्रेष्ठ] तदनन्तर मगधनरेशने वह युद्ध उपस्थित होनेपर अपने सेनापति कौशिक और चित्रसेनका स्मरण किया (जो उस समय जीवित नहीं थे)
sa tu senāpatim rājā sasmāra bharatarṣabha | kauśikaṃ citrasenaṃ ca tasmin yuddha upasthite ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Ketika peperangan sudah di ambang, raja—wahai banteng di antara kaum Bharata—mengingati panglima tertingginya, dan juga Kauśika serta Citrasena. Di bawah tekanan perang yang bakal meletus, baginda mencari kekuatan pada ingatan tentang kepimpinan yang telah terbukti dan sekutu yang dipercayai, memperlihatkan bahawa para pemerintah, saat berdepan krisis, secara naluri kembali kepada nasihat dan sokongan ketenteraan yang teruji.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In moments of imminent conflict, a ruler’s first recourse is often to recall and rely upon established leadership and trusted allies; the verse highlights the ethical weight of preparedness and the dependence of kingship on capable counsel and command.
As battle approaches, the king remembers his commander-in-chief and also Kauśika and Citrasena—figures associated with military support—signaling mobilization and the mental turning toward those who could secure victory or guidance in war.