Shloka 18
कुरुक्षेत्रे सेनानिवेशवृत्तान्तः — Dhṛtarāṣṭra Questions Saṃjaya on the Deployed Armies
रौक्मिणेयाहुकसुतैश्चवारुदेष्णपुरोगमै: । वृष्णिमुख्यैरधिगतैर्व्याप्रैरिव बलोत्कटै:
raukmiṇeyāhukasutaiś ca vāru-deṣṇapurogamaiḥ | vṛṣṇimukhyair adhigatair vyāprair iva balotkaṭaiḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana berkata: Baginda diiringi Raukmiṇeya dan putera-putera Ahuka, dengan Vāru dan Deṣṇa di hadapan—para terkemuka Vṛṣṇi yang berhimpun mengelilinginya, gagah dan menggerunkan dalam kekuatan, bagaikan pahlawan perkasa yang sudah bergerak menuju tindakan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical-political ideal of preparedness and solidarity: capable leaders and allied clans must be organized, alert, and ready to act decisively when dharma and public order are at stake.
Vaiśampāyana describes a scene of mobilization: prominent Vṛṣṇi leaders—Pradyumna (Raukmiṇeya), the sons of Āhuka, and others led by Vāru and Deṣṇa—assemble energetically, forming a powerful entourage ready for action.