Shloka 32
पाण्डवसेनानायकाभिषेकः तथा बलरामागमन-उपदेशः | Appointment of Pandava Commanders and Balarama’s Counsel
कृपं द्रोणं च शल्यं च सैन्धवं च जयद्रथम् | सुदक्षिणं च काम्बोजं कृतवर्माणमेव च
kṛpaṃ droṇaṃ ca śalyaṃ ca saindhavaṃ ca jayadratham | sudakṣiṇaṃ ca kāmbojaṃ kṛtavarmāṇam eva ca
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “(Baginda menamakan) Kṛpa, Droṇa, Śalya, Jayadratha putera Sindhu; Sudakṣiṇa dari Kāmboja, dan Kṛtavarmā juga.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that pivotal historical outcomes hinge on the agency of eminent individuals. By naming renowned warriors, it points to the ethical weight of leadership: skill and fame amplify responsibility, and one’s chosen allegiance in a dharma-crisis can shape widespread suffering or protection.
Vaiśampāyana is enumerating key warriors—major figures aligned for the coming conflict. The line functions as a roster of influential commanders, emphasizing the scale of mobilization and the strategic importance of these named fighters in the unfolding war.