Shloka 1636
दुर्योधनमुपायातावक्षौहिण्या पृथक् पृथक् । कुरुनन्दन! इसी प्रकार शूरवीर भूरिश्रवा तथा राजा शल्य पृथक्-पृथक् एक-एक अक्षौहिणी सेना साथ लेकर दुर्योधनके पास आये
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca |
duryodhanam upāyātāv akṣauhiṇyā pṛthak pṛthak |
kurunandana! evaṃprakāraṃ śūravīraḥ bhūriśravā tathā rājā śalyaḥ pṛthak-pṛthak eka-eka akṣauhiṇī-senāṃ sātha kṛtvā duryodhanasya samīpam ājagmuḥ ||
दुर्योधनमुपायातावक्षौहिण्या पृथक् पृथक्। कुरुनन्दन, एवं शूरो भूरिश्रवाः तथा राजा शल्यश्च पृथक् पृथग् पूर्णामक्षौहिणीं सेनामादाय दुर्योधनमुपाजग्मतुः॥
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how major conflicts are propelled by incremental commitments—leaders and warriors choosing sides and supplying resources. Ethically, it points to the gravity of alliance: joining a cause is not neutral, because it strengthens the capacity for harm and binds one to the consequences of the war.
As the war approaches, prominent warriors and kings arrive to support Duryodhana. Bhūriśravā and King Śalya come separately, each bringing an entire akṣauhiṇī army, indicating the consolidation of the Kaurava coalition.