Shloka 23
दुर्योधन-कर्ण-संवादः
Duryodhana–Karna Dialogue on Vyūha-bheda and Daiva
बृहत्क्षत्रे हते राजन् केकयानां महारथे । शैशुपालिरभिक्रुद्धों यन्तारमिदमब्रवीत्,राजन! केकय महारथी बृहत्क्षत्रके मारे जानेपर शिशुपालपुत्र धृष्टकेतुने अत्यन्त कुपित हो अपने सारथिसे इस प्रकार कहा--
bṛhatkṣatre hate rājan kekayānāṃ mahārathe | śaiśupālir abhikruddho yantāram idam abravīt ||
Sañjaya sprach: O König, als Bṛhatkṣatra, der große Wagenkämpfer der Kekayas, erschlagen war, redete der Sohn Śiśupālas, von Zorn entflammt, so zu seinem Wagenlenker.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the death of a comrade or ally can ignite uncontrolled anger, which in turn propels further violent action. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, such rage is a powerful battlefield impulse that tests a warrior’s self-mastery and discernment within kṣatriya-dharma.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bṛhatkṣatra, a prominent Kekaya chariot-warrior, has been slain. In response, Dhṛṣṭaketu (identified as the son of Śiśupāla) becomes furious and addresses his charioteer, introducing the next action or command he is about to give.