Shloka 38
Kaurava Mobilization at Kurukṣetra (Duryodhana Orders War Preparations) / कुरुक्षेत्रे धार्तराष्ट्र-सैन्यसज्जा
रात्रे: शेषे व्यतिक्रान्ते प्रयास्यामो रणाजिरम् । अधिवासितश्त्राश्व॒ कृतकौतुकमड़ला:,अतः वक्ताओंमें श्रेष्ठ श्रीकृष्ण अपना विचार प्रकट करें। इस समय रात्रि है। हम अभी सेनापतिका निर्वाचन करके रात बीतनेपर अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंका अधिवासन (गन्ध आदि उपचारोंद्वारा पूजन), कौतुक (रक्षाबन्धन आदि) तथा मंगलकृत्य (स्वस्तिवाचन आदि) करनेके अनन्तर श्रीकृष्णके अधीन हो समरांगणकी यात्रा करेंगे
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | rātreḥ śeṣe vyatikrānte prayāsyāmo raṇājiram | adhivāsita-śastrāśvaḥ kṛta-kautuka-maṇḍalāḥ ||
Disse Yudhiṣṭhira: “Quando o restante da noite tiver passado, partiremos para o campo de batalha. Tendo realizado os ritos de consagração de nossas armas e cavalos, e concluído as cerimônias de proteção e de bom augúrio, avançaremos ao campo de guerra sob a orientação de Kṛṣṇa.”
युधिषछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when war becomes unavoidable, action should be undertaken with restraint, order, and dharmic intention—seeking wise guidance (here, Kṛṣṇa) and beginning with rites that symbolize responsibility, protection, and auspicious resolve rather than impulsive violence.
On the eve of departure for battle, Yudhiṣṭhira states that once the night ends they will march to the battlefield, but only after completing customary preparations: consecrating weapons and horses and performing protective and auspicious ceremonies, then proceeding under Kṛṣṇa’s leadership.