Shloka 13
Nārada’s Account of the Kaliṅga Svayaṃvara: Duryodhana’s Seizure and Karṇa’s Escort
स वीर्यमदमत्तत्वाद् भीष्मद्रोणावुपाश्रित: । रथमारोप्य तां कन्यामाजहार नराधिप:,राजा दुर्योधनको भीष्म और द्रोणाचार्यका सहारा प्राप्त था; इसलिये वह बलके मदसे उन्मत्त हो रहा था। उसने उस राजकन्याको रथपर बिठाकर उसका अपहरण कर लिया
sa vīrya-mada-mattatvād bhīṣma-droṇāv upāśritaḥ | ratham āropya tāṃ kanyām ājahāra narādhipaḥ ||
قال نارادا: وقد سَكِرَ بزهوِ بأسه، واتّكأ على بهيشما ودرونا سندًا، فاختطف تلك الفتاة—وأجلسها على مركبته—ومضى بها. وتؤكد الحادثة أن السلطة إذا اقترنت بالغرور وبمساندة شيوخٍ مهيبين، قد تدفع الحاكم إلى الأدهارما بانتهاك إرادة غيره واستقلاله.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns that pride in strength (vīrya-mada) can intoxicate a ruler into committing adharma—here, the coercive seizure of a maiden—especially when he feels emboldened by powerful protectors. Ethical kingship requires restraint and respect for others’ agency, not merely reliance on might or influential allies.
Nārada narrates that a king, made arrogant by his power and supported by Bhīṣma and Droṇa, abducts a princess by placing her on his chariot and taking her away. The focus is on the act of abduction and the moral failure driven by arrogance and perceived impunity.