अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
उपप्लव्यं स गत्वा तु स्कन्धावारं प्रविश्य च । पाण्डवानथ तानू सर्वान् शल्यस्तत्र ददर्श ह,विराटनगरके उपप्लव्य नामक प्रदेशमें जाकर वे पाण्डवोंकी छावनीमें पहुँचे और वहीं उन सब पाण्डवोंसे मिले
upaplavyam sa gatvā tu skandhāvāraṁ praviśya ca | pāṇḍavān atha tān sarvān śalyas tatra dadarśa ha ||
Setelah pergi ke Upaplavya dan memasuki kem ketenteraan Pāṇḍava, Śalya pun melihat di sana semua saudara Pāṇḍava. Bait ini menempatkan ketibaan Śalya dalam suasana pengerahan perang, menonjolkan pertemuan rasmi para sekutu serta beratnya pertimbangan dharma ketika memilih pihak menjelang pertikaian.
शल्य उवाच
The verse underscores the dharmic seriousness of alliance-making before war: entering a camp and meeting leaders is not merely logistical, but a step that binds one’s loyalty and future actions, carrying moral consequences.
Śalya travels to Upaplavya, enters the Pandavas’ encampment, and meets all the Pandavas there, marking his arrival among the forces gathering for the impending Kurukṣetra conflict.