Shloka 50
Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ
Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit
कर्णेन सार्ध राजेन्द्र सौबलेन च देविना । दुःशासनादयश्चास्य भ्रातर: सर्व एव ते
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
karṇena sārdha rājendra saubalenā ca devinā |
duḥśāsanādayaś cāsya bhrātaraḥ sarva eva te ||
বৈশম্পায়ন বললেন—হে রাজেন্দ্র, কর্ণের সঙ্গে, সৌবল (শকুনি)-এর সঙ্গে, আর দুঃশাসন থেকে আরম্ভ করে তার সকল ভ্রাতা—সকলেই তার পশ্চাতে চলল।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how collective resolve—especially when formed through alliances and family bonds—can amplify the moral direction of a leader. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, unity is not inherently virtuous; when centered on envy, coercion, or deceit, it becomes a force that accelerates adharma and its karmic fallout.
Vaiśampāyana lists the principal members of Duryodhana’s entourage—Karna, Śakuni, and the Kaurava brothers led by Duḥśāsana—indicating that they are together as a group accompanying him, setting up the next narrative movement involving their coordinated actions.