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 ||
নারদ বললেন—নিজ বীর্যের গর্বে উন্মত্ত হয়ে এবং ভীষ্ম ও দ্রোণের আশ্রয়ে নির্ভর করে, সেই রাজা কন্যাটিকে রথে তুলে বলপূর্বক হরণ করে নিয়ে গেল।
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.