Shloka 19
यत् तद् बलममित्राणां तथा वीर्यसमुद्यतम् । हस्त्यश्वरथसम्पन्नं त्रिभिरज्जैरनुत्तमम्
yat tad balam amitrāṇāṁ tathā vīrya-samudyatam | hastyaśva-ratha-sampannaṁ tribhir ajjair anuttamam ||
وَیشَمپایَن نے کہا— دشمنوں کی وہی قوت اور ان کی برانگیختہ دلیری—ہاتھیوں، گھوڑوں اور رتھوں سے آراستہ تھی؛ تینوں شعبوں (ہستی-اَشْو-رَتھ) کے سہارے وہ لشکر بے مثال تھا۔
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how military power is assessed in classical dharma literature: not merely by numbers, but by readiness (samudyata-vīrya) and complete equipment across the main arms of warfare. It implicitly cautions that formidable force arises from organization and preparedness, not only from intent.
Vaiśampāyana is describing the enemies’ force as exceptionally strong and fully prepared, emphasizing that it is well supplied with elephants, horses, and chariots—the principal battlefield components—making it appear unsurpassed.