Shloka 19
Draupadī’s Exhortation on Rājadharma and Daṇḍa (द्रौपद्याः राजधर्मोपदेशः)
यत् तद् बलममित्राणां तथा वीर्यसमुद्यतम् । हस्त्यश्वरथसम्पन्नं त्रिभिरज्जैरनुत्तमम्
yat tad balam amitrāṇāṁ tathā vīrya-samudyatam | hastyaśva-ratha-sampannaṁ tribhir ajjair anuttamam ||
यत्तद्बलममित्राणां तथा वीर्यसमुद्यतम् । हस्त्यश्वरथसम्पन्नं त्रिभिरङ्गैरनुत्तमम् ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how military power is assessed in classical dharma literature: not merely by numbers, but by readiness (samudyata-vīrya) and complete equipment across the main arms of warfare. It implicitly cautions that formidable force arises from organization and preparedness, not only from intent.
Vaiśampāyana is describing the enemies’ force as exceptionally strong and fully prepared, emphasizing that it is well supplied with elephants, horses, and chariots—the principal battlefield components—making it appear unsurpassed.