Shloka 41
Chapter 49: Sañjaya’s Enumeration of the Pāṇḍava Coalition (पाण्डवसैन्यसमागम-वर्णनम्)
य: स काशिपती राजा वाराणस्यां महारथ: । स तेषामभवद् योद्धा तेन वस्ते5भ्ययुज्जत,काशिदेशके अधिपति महारथी नरेश जो वाराणसीपुरीमें रहते हैं, पाण्डवोंकी ओरसे युद्ध करनेको तैयार हैं। उनको साथ लेकर पाण्डव आपलोगोंपर आक्रमण करनेके लिये तैयार हैं
yaḥ sa kāśipatī rājā vārāṇasyāṃ mahārathaḥ | sa teṣām abhavad yoddhā tena vo 'bhyayujyata ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Raja itu, penguasa Kāśī, seorang pahlawan kereta perang agung yang bersemayam di Vārāṇasī, telah menjadi pejuang di pihak mereka. Bersamanya, mereka sedang bersiap untuk menyerang kamu.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how dharma in a royal conflict is shaped not only by personal claims but also by alliances and responsibilities: powerful rulers choose sides, and their choices intensify the ethical and political stakes of war.
Sañjaya informs Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kāśī king, a renowned mahāratha residing in Vārāṇasī, has aligned with the opposing side and, with his support, they are readying an assault—indicating growing military consolidation.