Shloka 21
पाण्डवसेनानायकाभिषेकः तथा बलरामागमन-उपदेशः | Appointment of Pandava Commanders and Balarama’s Counsel
नानारूपविकाराश्न नानाकवचशस्त्रिण: । पदातिनो नरास्तत्र बभूविहेममालिन:,उस सेनामें जो पैदल मनुष्य थे, वे भी सोनेके हारोंसे अलंकृत थे। उनके रूप-रंग, कवच और अस्त्र-शस्त्र नाना प्रकारके दिखायी देते थे
nānārūpavikārāś ca nānākavacaśastrinaḥ | padātino narās tatra babhūvur hemamālinaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Di sana, bahkan askar berjalan kaki pun dihiasi kalung-karangan emas. Rupa, warna kulit, serta kelengkapan mereka beraneka ragam—perisai, baju zirah dan senjata pelbagai jenis—menampakkan kekayaan dan kesiapsiagaan bala tentera; kemegahan lahiriah berjalan seiring dengan beban moral perang yang kian mendekat.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the grandeur of martial display—gold ornaments, varied armor, and weapons—can coexist with the looming ethical burden of war. It implicitly contrasts external splendor with the serious dharmic consequences of armed conflict.
Vaiśampāyana describes the assembled forces: even common foot-soldiers are richly ornamented, and the army appears diverse and well-equipped, emphasizing the scale, wealth, and preparedness surrounding the coming confrontation.