Shloka 11
अध्याय 24 — संजयस्य शमोपदेशः
Sanjaya’s Counsel Toward Conciliation
को वा कुरून् द्रोणभीष्माभिगुप्ता- नश्वृत्थाम्ना शल्यकृपादिभिश्न । रणे विजेतुं विषहेत राजन् राधेयगुप्तान् सह भूमिपालै:,राजन! इसी प्रकार द्रोणाचार्य, भीष्म, अश्वत्थामा, शल्य, कृपाचार्य आदि वीरों तथा अन्य राजाओंसहित कर्णके द्वारा सुरक्षित कौरवोंको युद्धमें जीतननेका साहस कौन कर सकता है?
ko vā kurūn droṇa-bhīṣmābhiguptān aśvatthāmnā śalya-kṛpādibhiś ca | raṇe vijetuṁ viṣaheta rājan rādheya-guptān saha bhūmipālaiḥ ||
রাজন! দ্রোণ ও ভীষ্মের রক্ষায়, অশ্বত্থামা, শল্য, কৃপ প্রভৃতি বীরদের সহায়তায়, এবং বহু ভূমিপালের সঙ্গে রাধেয় (কর্ণ)-এর প্রহরায় থাকা কৌরবদের রণে জয় করার সাহস কার হতে পারে?
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the near-impossibility of victory when a side is defended by legendary elders and masters, implying that war is not merely a contest of arms but a confrontation with accumulated authority, loyalty, and moral complexity—especially when teachers and revered figures stand in the ranks.
Sanjaya addresses King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, emphasizing the formidable defensive strength of the Kauravas: they are protected by Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Aśvatthāmā, Śalya, Kṛpa, Karṇa, and many allied kings, making any attempt to defeat them in battle seem extraordinarily difficult.