Shloka 24
कुरुक्षेत्रे सेनानिवेशवृत्तान्तः — Dhṛtarāṣṭra Questions Saṃjaya on the Deployed Armies
ततस्तेषूपविष्टेषु पार्थिवेषु समन्तत: । वासुदेवमभिप्रेक्ष्य राहिणेयो5भ्य भाषत,फिर उन सब राजाओंके चारों ओर बैठ जानेपर रोहिणीनन्दन बलरामने भगवान् श्रीकृष्णकी ओर देखते हुए कहा--
tatas teṣūpaviṣṭeṣu pārthiveṣu samantataḥ | vāsudevam abhiprekṣya rāhiṇeyo 'bhyabhāṣata ||
Kemudian, setelah para raja duduk mengelilingi segenap sisi, Halāyudha—Balarāma putera Rohiṇī—memandang ke arah Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) lalu berkata kepadanya. Maka terbukalah ruang nasihat dalam suatu majlis yang di dalamnya kuasa raja, kewajipan, dan bayang konflik yang kian mendekat menuntut tutur yang jelas serta bimbingan yang bertanggungjawab.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even before arguments are stated, the verse highlights a dharmic norm of public deliberation: in a royal assembly, speech should be directed with clarity and accountability to the one capable of guiding action (here, Kṛṣṇa), because counsel given in such settings shapes collective ethical and political outcomes.
After the surrounding kings have seated themselves, Balarāma turns his attention to Kṛṣṇa and begins to speak. The line functions as a narrative hinge, introducing Balarāma’s forthcoming statement within a formal court-like gathering.