Mahabharata — Karna Parva, Shloka 5
एते ते पृथिवीपाला: सृञ्जयाश्न॒ समागता: । त्वां समासाद्य दुर्धर्ष पाण्डवाश्व व्यवस्थिता:
ete te pṛthivīpālāḥ sṛñjayāś ca samāgatāḥ | tvāṃ samāsādya durdharṣa pāṇḍavāś ca vyavasthitāḥ ||
Sañjaya nói: “Đây là các vị vua—cùng với người Sṛñjaya—đã tụ hội. Nương tựa nơi ngài, hỡi đấng không thể khuất phục, các Pāṇḍava cũng đứng vững, bày trận trên chiến địa.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and political reality of war: strength in battle is not merely individual prowess but also the cohesion of allies who ‘take refuge’ in a leader. It underscores the kṣatriya-world emphasis on protection, loyalty, and steadfast readiness when conflict becomes unavoidable.
Sañjaya reports to the Kuru court that the opposing forces—kings along with the Sṛñjayas and the Pāṇḍavas—have gathered and are firmly positioned for battle, relying upon the addressed warrior’s formidable support and leadership.