Shloka 195
भीष्म-द्रोणादिभिः पाण्डवसेनाक्षयकाल-निर्णयः | Time-estimates for the depletion of the Pāṇḍava forces
Bhīṣma–Droṇa council
इति श्रीमहा भारते उद्योगपर्वणि अम्बोपाख्यानपर्वणि कौरवसैन्यनिर्याणे पज्चनवत्यधिकशततमो<ध्याय:
iti śrīmahābhārate udyogaparvaṇi ambopākhyānaparvaṇi kauravasainyaniryāṇe pañcanavatyadhikaśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ
Sa ganito nagtatapos, sa kagalang-galang na Mahābhārata, sa Udyoga Parva, sa bahaging tinatawag na Ambā-upākhyāna, ang kabanatang tumatalakay sa pag-alis/pagmartsa ng hukbong Kaurava—ang ika-isang daan at siyamnapu’t limang kabanata. Ang kolopon ay tanda ng paglipat ng salaysay: ang mga tensiyong etikal ng epiko ay mula sa payo at mga halimbawa (upākhyāna) patungo sa kongkretong pagmomobilisa para sa digmaan, hudyat ng pagtitigas ng mga pasya at pagkipot ng mga landas ng kapayapaan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
As a colophon, the verse does not teach through direct instruction; its ethical force lies in framing: after exempla and counsel, the narrative turns to mobilization. It underscores how unresolved adharma and failed reconciliation culminate in irreversible action—war preparations—highlighting responsibility for choices made (or refused) before conflict becomes inevitable.
The text is closing a chapter/section: within Udyoga Parva, in the Ambā episode context, it marks the chapter themed around the Kauravas’ army setting out. Functionally, it signals a transition from story and deliberation to the practical movement of forces toward the coming war.