Shloka 17
पाण्डवसेनानायकाभिषेकः तथा बलरामागमन-उपदेशः | Appointment of Pandava Commanders and Balarama’s Counsel
द्वावड्कुशधरीौ तत्र द्वावुत्तमधनुर्धरी । दौ वरासिधरौ राजन्नेक: शक्तिपिनाकधृक्,राजन! उनमेंसे दो पुरुष अंकुश लेकर महावतका काम करते थे, दो उत्तम धनुर्धर योद्धा थे, दो पुरुष अच्छी तलवारें लिये रहते थे और एक पुरुष शक्ति तथा त्रिशूल धारण करता था
dvāv aṅkuśadharī tau tatra dvāv uttamadhanurdharī | dvau varāsidharau rājan ekaḥ śaktipinākadhṛk ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai Raja, di situ dua orang memegang cangkuk gajah dan menjalankan tugas mahout; dua orang lagi ialah pemanah unggul; dua orang membawa pedang yang baik; dan seorang memegang śakti (lembing) serta Pināka—senjata suci Śiva—berdiri siap di antara para pengiring.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined preparedness and role-based duty: each attendant is equipped according to a specific function (mahout, archer, swordsman, spear-bearer), reflecting orderly protection and the ethical ideal of fulfilling one’s assigned responsibility in a royal setting.
Vaiśampāyana is describing the armed personnel present—enumerating how many carried elephant-goads, bows, swords, and a spear with Pināka—conveying the guarded, martial atmosphere surrounding the royal party.