Who showed up for them

kāśyaśca parameṣvāsaḥ śikhaṇḍī ca mahārathaḥdhṛṣṭadyumno virāṭaśca sātyakiścāparājitaḥ

The king of Kashi, a great archer, Shikhandi the mighty warrior, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, and Satyaki, never defeated.

What it means

Sanjaya keeps counting the allies of the Pandavas. A great archer-king from Kashi. Shikhandi, a mighty chariot warrior. Dhrishtadyumna, commander of their army. King Virata, who once sheltered the brothers in exile. And Satyaki, Krishna's own student, said never to be beaten.

The story

Many of these allies had little to gain. Virata hid the Pandavas for a whole year when they had nothing. Now he stands with them again. The Pandavas lost their kingdom, but not their friends, and that is what this list really shows.

In your life

Think of the people who helped you move house when you were broke, or sat with you in a hospital corridor. Write one of them a message today. A thank-you, sent while it still matters.