Shloka 72
कर्णेन युधिष्ठिरानीकविदारणम् / Karṇa’s Breach of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Battle-Line
कवचानि सश्त्राणि कार्मुकं च पितामह । त्वामृते सारथिं तत्र नान्यं पश्यामहे वयम्
kavacāni śastrāṇi kārmukaṃ ca pitāmaha | tvāmṛte sārathiṃ tatra nānyaṃ paśyāmahe vayam ||
قال دوريودhana: «يا جدَّنا الجليل، الدروعُ والسلاحُ والقوسُ—من دونك لا نرى هناك سائسَ مركبةٍ غيرك. وفي هذه الشدّة من الحرب، إنما تقوم ثقتُنا عليك وحدك لتقود وتثبّت مجرى المعركة.»
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in moments of moral and strategic crisis, reliance on a single revered authority can replace broader counsel. It implicitly warns that power and war-aims often seek legitimacy through elders, even when the cause is ethically compromised.
Duryodhana addresses Bhīṣma as ‘Grandsire’ and stresses that, regarding the practical necessities of battle—armour, weapons, and the bow—he sees no one else fit to serve as charioteer/guide in that situation. It is an appeal for Bhīṣma’s continued leadership and support on the battlefield.