Shloka 8
Sainyavinyāsa–Lakṣaṇa (Disposition of Armies and Battlefield Omens) | सैन्यविन्यास–लक्षणम्
चन्द्रप्रभं श्वेतमथातपत्र सौवर्णसख्रग् भ्राजति चोत्तमाड़े । त॑ सर्वतः शकुनि: पर्वतीयै: सार्थ गान्धारैर्याति गान्धारराज:
sañjaya uvāca |
candraprabhaṁ śvetam athātapatraṁ sauvarṇa-srag bhrājati cottamāṅge |
taṁ sarvataḥ śakuniḥ parvataiyaiḥ sārthaṁ gāndhārair yāti gāndhāra-rājaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Isang puting payong na nagniningning na parang buwan ang itinaas sa ibabaw niya, at isang ginintuang kuwintas na parang garland ang kumikislap sa kanyang ulo. Ang hari ng Gāndhāra na si Śakuni ay sumulong kasama ang mga mandirigmang-bundok ng Gāndhāra, kumikilos upang palibutan si Duryodhana sa bawat panig—larawang nagpapakita ng pag-iingat at pagprotekta, ngunit nagpapahiwatig din ng masikip na lambat ng payo at impluwensiya na bumabalot sa adhikain ng mga Kaurava habang hinuhubog ang mga hanay ng digmaan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how outward symbols of sovereignty (parasol, gold garland) and the visible support of allies can project legitimacy and strength, yet it also suggests an ethical tension: power is being consolidated around a cause driven by ambition and contested dharma, where influence and counsel (notably Śakuni’s) shape the course toward conflict.
Sañjaya describes the Kaurava-side leaders and their formations: Śakuni, identified as the king of Gāndhāra, advances with Gāndhāra’s mountain warriors, moving in a way that surrounds and supports Duryodhana, while royal emblems—especially a moon-bright white parasol and a golden garland—mark the central figure’s prominence.