Shloka 3
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
अक्षौहिणीपती राजन् महावीर्यपराक्रम: । विचित्रकवचा: शूरा विचित्रध्वजकार्मुका:
akṣauhiṇīpatī rājan mahāvīryaparākramaḥ | vicitrakavacāḥ śūrā vicitradhvajakārmukāḥ ||
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: O Hari, ang mga pinunong namamahala sa buong akṣauhiṇī ay mga lalaking may dakilang lakas at kagitingan—mga bayani na may sari-saring baluti, at nakikilala sa iba’t ibang watawat at mga busog.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the scale and ordered structure of war: power is not merely individual bravery but organized command (akṣauhiṇī-pati). Ethically, it hints at the grave responsibility borne by leaders whose prowess and decisions move vast forces toward conflict.
Vaiśampāyana describes the war-ready host by highlighting its commanders and their martial splendor—armored heroes marked by distinctive banners and bows—setting the scene for the mobilization and impending confrontation in the Udyoga Parva.