Shloka 33
पाण्डवसेनानायकाभिषेकः तथा बलरामागमन-उपदेशः | Appointment of Pandava Commanders and Balarama’s Counsel
द्रोणपुत्रं च कर्ण च भूरिश्रवसमेव च । शकुनिं सौबलं चैव बाह्लीकं॑ च महाबलम्
droṇaputraṃ ca karṇaṃ ca bhūriśravasam eva ca | śakuniṃ saubalaṃ caiva bāhlīkaṃ ca mahābalam ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “At (pinangalanan niya) ang anak ni Droṇa na si Aśvatthāmā, si Karṇa, si Bhūriśravas; si Śakuni na anak ni Subala; at si Bāhlīka, ang mandirigmang makapangyarihan.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how war is propelled not only by principles but by networks of powerful individuals and alliances; ethically, it invites reflection on responsibility—when influential warriors and strategists align, their collective choices can intensify adharma or restrain it.
Vaiśampāyana is enumerating prominent Kaurava-side figures—major warriors and key political actors—highlighting the formidable coalition gathering as the conflict moves toward open war.