Shloka 3
सेनासमागमः — The Convergence of Armies
परश्वधैर्भिन्दिपालै: शूलतोमरमुदगरै: । परिघैर्यष्टिभि: पाशै: करवालै क्ष निर्मल:
paraśvadhair bhindipālaiḥ śūla-tomara-mudgaraiḥ | parighair yaṣṭibhiḥ pāśaiḥ karavālaiś ca nirmalaiḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana berkata: “Mereka lengkap dengan pelbagai senjata—kapak, bhindipāla, lembing, tomara, belantan, gada besi, kayu pemukul, jerat, serta pedang yang berkilau, bersih tanpa cela.”
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse itself is descriptive, but its ethical force lies in contrast: when a society or assembly is defined by weaponry and readiness to strike, the possibility of dharmic reconciliation narrows. It underscores how preparation for violence can become a moral atmosphere that shapes decisions.
Vaiśaṃpāyana describes people (or forces) present as armed with a wide array of weapons—axes, darts, spears, maces, clubs, staffs, nooses, and shining swords—signaling a mobilized, war-ready setting within the Udyoga Parva’s broader movement toward the Kurukṣetra conflict.