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 ||
द्वावङ्कुशधरौ तत्र द्वावुत्तमधनुर्धरौ । द्वौ वरासिधरौ राजन्नेकः शक्तिपिनाकधृक् ॥ तत्र राजन्, द्वौ अङ्कुशधरौ महावतकार्ये नियुक्तौ; द्वौ उत्तमधनुर्धरौ; द्वौ वरासिधरौ; एकश्च शक्तिं पिनाकं च धारयन् सर्वतोऽभ्युपस्थितः।
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.