Shloka 48
Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
बृहदूबलश्न॒ कौसल्यो जयत्सेनश्ल मागध: । तथा रुक््मरथो राजन् शल्यपुत्र: प्रतापवान्
sañjaya uvāca | bṛhadbalaś ca kausalyo jayatsenaś ca māgadhaḥ | tathā rukmaratho rājan śalyaputraḥ pratāpavān |
Sañjaya nói: “Tâu Đại vương, trong hàng chiến xa kiệt xuất có Bṛhadbala xứ Kosala, Jayatsena xứ Magadha, và cả Rukmaratha dũng mãnh, người con đầy uy lực của Śalya.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse functions as a sober reminder that great power and noble lineage do not prevent participation in adharma-driven destruction; warriors, compelled by alliances and kṣatriya obligations, enter a conflict whose moral weight will be judged by intention, loyalty, and consequence.
Sañjaya is reporting to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra the notable chariot-warriors present on the battlefield, naming Bṛhadbala of Kosala, Jayatsena of Magadha, and Rukmaratha, the valiant son of Śalya, as part of a larger enumeration of forces.