Shloka 156
Rukmī’s Offer of Aid and Arjuna’s Refusal (रुक्मिप्रस्तावः—अर्जुनप्रत्याख्यानम्)
इति श्रीमहाभारते उद्योगपर्वणि सैन्यनिर्याणपर्वणि भीष्मसैनापत्ये षट्पञज्चाशदधिकशततमो<ध्याय:
iti śrīmahābhārate udyogaparvaṇi sainyaniryāṇaparvaṇi bhīṣmasenāpatye ṣaṭpañcāśad-adhika-śatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ
اِتی شری مہابھارت کے اُدیَوگ پَرو میں سَینْیَ نِریاڻ پَرو کے تحت، بھیشم کے سپہ سالار مقرر ہونے کے پرکرن میں ایک سو چھپنواں اَدھیائے اختتام کو پہنچا۔
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
As a colophon, the verse does not teach through direct instruction; it frames the ethical gravity of the narrative: once command is assigned and armies begin to move, choices harden into consequences. It highlights how leadership in war carries dharmic responsibility, especially when the conflict is among kin.
The chapter concludes, and the text formally notes its placement: Udyoga Parva, within the army-departure section, specifically the episode of Bhīṣma being made commander-in-chief. This signals the story’s progression from negotiation and preparation toward the mobilization and organization of war.