Shloka 396
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 114 — Karṇa–Bhīmasena Missile Exchange, Disarmament, and Arjuna’s Intervention
कृतार्थमथ चात्मानं मन््यते कालचोदित: । “कालसे प्रेरित हुआ दुर्योधन इन समस्त राजाओंके समुदायको तथा रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ द्रोणाचार्य, कृपाचार्य, भूरिश्रवा, जयद्रथ और कर्णको पाकर पाण्डवोंका अपमान करता है तथा अपने-आपको कृतार्थ मान रहा है
kṛtārtham atha cātmānaṁ manyate kālacoditaḥ |
قال سَنْجَيَ: «وقد ساقه الزمان (القدر) فساغ لدُريودhana أن يظنّ نفسه قد أفلح. إذ نال عونَ هذا الجمع كلّه من الملوك، ونال معه أبرع فرسان المركبات—دروṇācārya، وكṛpācārya، وبھūriśravā، وجايادرثا، وكَرṇa—راح يهين الباندڤا، متوهّمًا أن شأنه قد تمّ.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a person, propelled by the force of kāla (the unfolding of destiny/time), can fall into pride and contempt. Duryodhana mistakes the acquisition of powerful allies for true ‘success,’ showing the ethical danger of equating strength and numbers with dharma.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana, encouraged by the presence of major Kaurava champions and allied kings, feels his aims are achieved and therefore derides the Pāṇḍavas. It reflects his growing arrogance as the war intensifies under Droṇa’s command.