Shloka 1
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत उद्योगपर्वके अन्तर्गत सेनोट्रोगपर्वमें श्रीकृष्णका सारथ्यस्वीकारविषयक सातवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ ॥/ ७ ॥। ऑपन--माजल छा अफ<-जआकऋा-ज अष्टमो>< ध्याय: शल्यका दुर्योधनके सत्कारसे प्रसन्न हो उसे वर देना और युधिष्ठिरसे मिलकर उन्हें आश्वासन देना वैशम्पायन उवाच शल्य: श्रुत्वा तु दूतानां सैन्येन महता वृतः । अभ्ययात् पाण्डवान् राजन् सह पुत्रैर्महारथै:
vaiśampāyana uvāca
śalyaḥ śrutvā tu dūtānāṃ sainyena mahatā vṛtaḥ |
abhyayāt pāṇḍavān rājan saha putrair mahārathaiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Ó rei Janamejaya, ao ouvir a mensagem trazida pelos emissários dos Pāṇḍavas, o rei Śalya—cercado por um grande exército—partiu em direção aos Pāṇḍavas, acompanhado de seus filhos, poderosos guerreiros de carro. O verso assinala um movimento decisivo: um aliado formidável responde à diplomacia e se aproxima fisicamente do acampamento pāṇḍava, prenunciando as tensões éticas e estratégicas da lealdade na guerra vindoura.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political and ethical decisions in the Mahābhārata often begin with speech and counsel (a message delivered by envoys) and culminate in action (a king moving with his forces). It underscores the dharmic weight of responding to communication responsibly, since alliances and intentions formed here shape the justice and consequences of the impending war.
After hearing the Pāṇḍavas’ message from their envoys, King Śalya departs to meet the Pāṇḍavas. He travels with a large army and with his sons, described as mahārathas, indicating significant military strength and the importance of his forthcoming role in the conflict.