Shloka 18
Adhyāya 152: Kaurava-sainyavibhāgaḥ
Division and Standardization of the Kaurava Host
ततस्ते पार्थिवा: सर्वे तच्छुत्वा राजशासनम्
tatas te pārthivāḥ sarve tac chrutvā rājaśāsanam | kāñcanāḍḍadadīptāṃś ca candanāgurubhūṣitān ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Kemudian semua raja itu, setelah mendengar titah Raja Duryodhana, bangkit dari tempat duduk mereka yang mahal dalam gelora amarah. Lengan mereka—tebal bagaikan gada besi, disapu pes cendana dan gaharu, serta berkilau dengan gelang emas—bergerak perlahan ketika mereka menyentuh dan melenturkannya, tanda kesiapsiagaan untuk bertindak di bawah perintah raja dan tekanan menuju pertikaian yang kian memuncak.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how royal commands and collective honor-culture can rapidly inflame anger and propel leaders toward violence. It implicitly warns that obedience driven by wrath and prestige, rather than discernment and dharma, becomes a force that accelerates conflict.
After hearing Duryodhana’s order, the assembled kings react with indignation and readiness. They rise from their valuable seats, adorned with perfumes and gold armlets, and physically brace themselves—an outward sign that the court is shifting from deliberation toward action and confrontation.