Shloka 8
मृगस्वप्नदर्शनम्
The Deer’s Dream-Appeal and the Move to Kāmyaka
एते रथा नरव्याप्रा: सर्वशस्त्रसमन्विता: । धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राणां विमला: काज्चनध्वजा:
ete rathā naravyāprāḥ sarvaśastrasamanvitāḥ | dhṛtarāṣṭrasya putrāṇāṁ vimalāḥ kāñcanadhvajāḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira disse: “Estes carros, guarnecidos por guerreiros capazes e plenamente equipados com toda espécie de armas, pertencem aos filhos de Dhṛtarāṣṭra — de aparência imaculada, ostentando estandartes de ouro.”
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights clear-eyed recognition of worldly power and preparedness. Ethically, it suggests that discernment—seeing the opponent’s strength without denial—is part of responsible conduct, especially when choices must be made under the demands of kṣatriya duty.
Yudhiṣṭhira is identifying and describing the chariots of Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons, noting that they are manned by able warriors, fully armed, and marked by shining golden standards—an observation that underscores the Kauravas’ martial resources.