Shloka 47
Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ
Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit
श्वेतच्छत्रै: पताकाभि ्षामरैश्न सुपाण्डुरै: । रथैनगि: पदातैश्न शुशुभेडतीव संकुला
śvetacchattraiḥ patākābhiḥ ṣāmaraiś ca supāṇḍuraiḥ | rathair nāgaiḥ padātaiś ca śuśubhe ’tīva saṅkulā ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Dihiasi payung putih, panji-panji, dan cemara (pengipas ekor yak) yang pucat, serta sesak oleh kereta perang, gajah dan infantri, pemandangan itu bersinar cemerlang—kemegahannya justeru dipertinggi oleh himpitan bala tentera yang berhimpun.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how royal authority and collective power are displayed through symbols (parasols, banners, attendants) and through the organized presence of the fourfold forces (chariots, elephants, infantry). It implicitly contrasts outward splendor with the weight of responsibility that accompanies such power.
Vaiśampāyana describes a grand, densely gathered martial or royal assembly. The crowd is visually striking—bright with white insignia and packed with chariots, elephants, and foot-soldiers—conveying the scale and magnificence of the gathering.