Mahabharata 4.47.1 — Virata Parva, Adhyaya 47, Shloka 1
कालविभाग-निरूपणं तथा युद्धव्यवस्था
Time-Reckoning and Mobilization Counsel
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके २६३ “लोक मिलाकर कुल ३५३ श्लोक हैं।) ८-० (3) अत अभ- सप्तचत्वारिशो<्ध्याय: दुर्योधनके द्वारा युद्धका निश्चय तथा कर्णकी उक्ति वैशम्पायन उवाच अथ दुर्योधनो राजा समरे भीष्ममब्रवीत् । द्रोणं च रथशार्दूलं कृपं च सुमहारथम्
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: atha duryodhano rājā samare bhīṣmam abravīt | droṇaṃ ca rathaśārdūlaṃ kṛpaṃ ca sumahāratham ||
Vaiśampāyana thưa: Rồi đó, vua Duryodhana, giữa bối cảnh trận chiến sắp đến, đã ngỏ lời với Bhīṣma; và cũng nói với Droṇa—bậc kiệt xuất giữa các chiến xa—cùng Kṛpa, vị đại chiến binh.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how decisive political will in a dharma-crisis seeks legitimacy and effectiveness through elders and teachers. It implicitly raises the ethical question of how revered authorities (Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa) become instruments within a contested cause, showing the tension between loyalty, duty, and righteousness.
After developments in the Virāṭa episode, the narrative turns toward the impending Kurukṣetra war. Duryodhana addresses the principal Kaurava commanders—Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and Kṛpa—signaling preparation and resolve for battle and setting up the counsel and decisions that follow.
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