Shloka 21
Adhyāya 152: Kaurava-sainyavibhāgaḥ
Division and Standardization of the Kaurava Host
ते रथान् रथिन: श्रेष्ठा हयांश्ष हयकोविदा: । सज्जयन्ि सम नागांश्व॒ नागशिक्षास्वनुछिता:
te rathān rathinaḥ śreṣṭhā hayāṁś ca hayakovidāḥ | sajjayan samānāgāṁś ca nāgaśikṣāsv anuśikṣitāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Para pahlawan kereta perang yang terunggul mula menyiapkan kereta mereka; mereka yang mahir dalam seni menunggang dan mengawal kuda menyediakan kuda-kuda; dan orang yang terlatih dalam disiplin mengendalikan gajah turut melengkapkan gajah-gajah. Pemandangan itu menegaskan tugas ketenteraan yang tersusun—setiap kelompok melaksanakan peranan yang ditetapkan dengan kecekapan terlatih ketika bala tentera bergerak menuju pertikaian yang bakal meletus.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Competence and discipline in one’s assigned role are part of dharma: the verse highlights orderly preparation where trained specialists perform their duties without confusion, reflecting responsible conduct even amid impending war.
As the conflict approaches in the Udyoga Parva, the forces are being readied: charioteers and chariot-warriors prepare chariots, horse-experts prepare horses, and elephant-trained men equip the war-elephants.