Shloka 16
पाण्डवसेनानायकाभिषेकः तथा बलरामागमन-उपदेशः | Appointment of Pandava Commanders and Balarama’s Counsel
यथा रथास्तथा नागा बद्धकक्षा: स्वलंकृता: । बभूवु: सप्तपुरुषा रत्नवन्त इवाद्रय:
yathā rathās tathā nāgā baddhakakṣāḥ svalankṛtāḥ | babhūvuḥ saptapuruṣā ratnavanta ivādrayaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: “Assim como os carros foram dispostos e adornados, também os elefantes foram ricamente enfeitados com grinaldas de ouro e bem cingidos por cintas e amarras. Com sete homens sentados sobre cada um, aqueles elefantes pareciam montanhas cravejadas de joias.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily conveys the epic’s attention to order, discipline, and preparedness: power (elephants, chariots) is not merely displayed but carefully secured and organized. The jewel-mountain simile underscores how martial grandeur can appear awe-inspiring, reminding readers that war is preceded by deliberate human arrangement and intent.
The narrator describes the mustering and outfitting of forces: chariots are decorated, elephants are similarly adorned and tightly harnessed, and each elephant carries seven men. The scene emphasizes the scale and magnificence of the army’s preparations.