Shloka 19
भीष्म-द्रोणादिभिः पाण्डवसेनाक्षयकाल-निर्णयः | Time-estimates for the depletion of the Pāṇḍava forces
Bhīṣma–Droṇa council
वणिजो गणिकाश्षारा ये चैव प्रेक्षका जना: । सर्वास्तान् कौरवो राजा विधिवत् प्रत्यवैक्षत,वहाँ जो वणिक्, गणिकाएँ, गुप्तचर तथा दर्शक मनुष्य आते थे, उन सबकी कुरुराज दुर्योधन विधिपूर्वक देखभाल करता था
vaṇijo gaṇikāś cārā ye caiva prekṣakā janāḥ | sarvāṁs tān kauravo rājā vidhivat pratyavaikṣata ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: Ang mga mangangalakal, mga kurtisan, mga espiya, at ang iba’t ibang manonood na dumarating doon—lahat sila’y maayos na inasikaso at inalagaan ni Haring Duryodhana ng mga Kuru, ayon sa itinakdang kaugalian. Itinatampok ng taludtod ang kanyang masusing pamamahala sa mga taong mula sa bawat uri na nagtitipon sa paligid ng kapangyarihang panghari, kabilang ang mga maaaring makaapekto sa daloy ng balita at sa pagtingin ng madla.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a facet of rājadharma: a ruler maintains order by regulated, protocol-based oversight of all who circulate around the court—especially groups tied to commerce, entertainment, intelligence-gathering, and public opinion. Ethical tension arises because such efficiency can serve either dharma or adharma depending on the ruler’s aims.
Vaiśampāyana describes Duryodhana’s arrangements: whoever came into his sphere—merchants, courtesans, spies, and spectators—was systematically supervised and provided for. It portrays the Kaurava camp as organized and attentive to both logistics and information networks.