Shloka 22
अथ वर्माणि चित्राणि काज्चनानि बहूनि च । विविधानि च शस्त्राणि चक्कुः सर्वाणि सर्वश:,उन्होंने सोनेके बने हुए बहुत-से विचित्र कवच तथा सब प्रकारके विभिन्न अनेक अस्त्र- शस्त्र धारण कर लिये
atha varmāṇi citrāṇi kāñcanāni bahūni ca | vividhāni ca śastrāṇi cakruḥ sarvāṇi sarvaśaḥ ||
Então prepararam e vestiram muitas couraças esplêndidas, ornadas de ouro, e puseram também em ordem armas de toda espécie, em plena medida—sinal inequívoco de que a assembleia se afastava do conselho para as duras necessidades da guerra, onde a prontidão exterior muitas vezes substitui a contenção interior.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral pivot-point: when dialogue fails, people turn to material preparedness for violence. It implicitly warns that the momentum of conflict can make war seem inevitable, urging vigilance in preserving restraint and dharma before such preparations become the only language left.
As the situation intensifies, the parties (implied by the plural verbs) equip themselves—donning ornate, gold-adorned armour and readying a full range of weapons—signaling imminent martial action rather than continued negotiation.