Shloka 13
Adhyāya 64 — Omens, Conch Signals, and Arjuna’s Assault on the Elephant Division
हिरण्यकवचान् सर्वान् श्वेतच्छत्रप्रकीर्णकान् । हिरण्यस्यन्दनारूढान् सानुयात्रपरिच्छदान्,वे सब राजा सोनेके कवच धारण किये, श्वेत छत्र लगाये, सुवर्णमय रथपर आरूढ़ हुए तथा अपने अनुगामी सेवकों और आवश्यक सामग्रियोंसे सम्पन्न थे
hiraṇyakavacān sarvān śvetacchatraprakīrṇakān | hiraṇyasyandanārūḍhān sānu-yātra-paricchadān ||
हिरण्यकवचान् सर्वान् श्वेतच्छत्रप्रकीर्णकान् । हिरण्यस्यन्दनारूढान् सानुयात्रपरिच्छदान् ॥
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how royal power is expressed through visible insignia—armor, parasols, and splendid chariots—yet such external grandeur mainly serves the machinery of war. It implicitly contrasts outward display with the inner demands of dharma that must guide rulers even amid martial readiness.
Nārada describes a gathering or movement of kings: they are armed and ceremonially marked by white parasols, riding gold-adorned chariots, accompanied by attendants and fully provisioned—signaling an organized, high-status martial expedition.