Shloka 15
अजिशीर्षे प्रातःसंध्यायां संग्रामवर्णनम् / Dawn-Transition Battle at Ajiśīrṣa
Chapter 161
एते हाभिमुखा: सर्वे राधेयेन युयुत्सव: । आयान्ति पाण्डवा ब्रद्वान्नाह्नयन्त: समन्तत:,ब्रह्मन! ये सामने राधापुत्र कर्णके साथ युद्धकी अभिलाषा रखकर समस्त पाण्डव- सैनिक सब ओरसे ललकारते आ रहे हैं
ete hābhimukhāḥ sarve rādheyena yuyutsavaḥ | āyānti pāṇḍavā bradvān nāhnayantaḥ samantataḥ, brahman! ye sāmane rādāputra karṇake sātha yuddhakī abhilāṣā rakhakara samasta pāṇḍava-sainika saba orase lalkārate ā rahe haiṃ
Duryodhana sprach: „O Brahmane! All diese Krieger, die uns gegenüberstehen, begierig, mit Rādheya (Karna) zu kämpfen, rücken heran — die Pāṇḍavas kommen von allen Seiten und rufen laut herausfordernd.“
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychology of war: leaders interpret the enemy’s movement as a direct challenge to honor and reputation. It underscores the kṣatriya ethos where confrontation, taunt, and readiness to fight are treated as decisive signals of intent, shaping strategic and ethical choices in battle.
Duryodhana reports that the Pāṇḍava forces are advancing from all directions, openly provoking combat, specifically eager to engage Karna (Radheya). He addresses a Brahmin counselor/attendant, framing the enemy’s approach as a focused challenge to Karna.