Shloka 17
पाण्डवसेनानायकाभिषेकः तथा बलरामागमन-उपदेशः | Appointment of Pandava Commanders and Balarama’s Counsel
द्वावड्कुशधरीौ तत्र द्वावुत्तमधनुर्धरी । दौ वरासिधरौ राजन्नेक: शक्तिपिनाकधृक्
dvāv aṅkuśadharī tau tatra dvāv uttamadhanurdharī | dvau varāsidharau rājan ekaḥ śaktipinākadhṛk ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: “Ali, ó Rei, dois homens traziam o aguilhão do elefante e serviam como mahouts; dois eram arqueiros excelentes; dois portavam boas espadas; e um carregava uma śakti (lança) e o Pināka, a arma sagrada de Śiva, de pé entre os assistentes.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined preparedness and role-based duty: each attendant is equipped according to a specific function (mahout, archer, swordsman, spear-bearer), reflecting orderly protection and the ethical ideal of fulfilling one’s assigned responsibility in a royal setting.
Vaiśampāyana is describing the armed personnel present—enumerating how many carried elephant-goads, bows, swords, and a spear with Pināka—conveying the guarded, martial atmosphere surrounding the royal party.