अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
स्वदेशवेषाभरणा वीरा: शतसहस्रश: । तस्य सेनाप्रणेतारो बभूवु: क्षत्रियर्षभा:
svadeśaveṣābharaṇā vīrāḥ śatasahasraśaḥ | tasya senāpraṇetāro babhūvuḥ kṣatriyarṣabhāḥ ||
ବୈଶମ୍ପାୟନ କହିଲେ— ନିଜ ନିଜ ଦେଶର ବେଶଭୂଷା ଓ ଆଭୂଷଣ ଧାରଣ କରିଥିବା ବୀରମାନେ ଲକ୍ଷ ଲକ୍ଷ ସଂଖ୍ୟାରେ ସେଠାରେ ସମବେତ ହୋଇଥିଲେ। ସେହି ସେନାକୁ ନେତୃତ୍ୱ ଦେବାକୁ କ୍ଷତ୍ରିୟମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠମାନେ ତାହାର ସେନାନାୟକ ଓ ଅଗ୍ରଣୀ ହେଲେ।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in its social dimension: warriors from many regions assemble in disciplined order under recognized leaders. It underscores how political and military duty organizes diverse peoples into a single command structure, foreshadowing the ethical weight of collective action in war.
Vaiśampāyana describes the mustering of a vast force: innumerable warriors arrive, marked by their regional attire and ornaments, and eminent kṣatriya chiefs take up roles as commanders directing the army.