Shloka 38
Karṇa’s advance against the Pāṇḍava host; Arjuna’s clash with the Saṃśaptakas (कर्णस्य पाण्डवसेनाप्रवेशः—अर्जुनस्य संशप्तकसंप्रहारः)
पुराणि वरदत्तानि धात्रा तेन नराधिप । तदा भीत: सुरपतिर्मुक्त्वा तानि पुराण्यथ
purāṇi varadattāni dhātrā tena narādhipa | tadā bhītaḥ surapatir muktvā tāni purāṇy atha | tapa ugraṃ samāsthāya niyame parame sthitāḥ ||
Duryodhana sprach: „O König, jene uralten, uneinnehmbaren Städte, die der Schöpfer (Brahmā) ihm verliehen hatte: Als der Herr der Götter in Furcht geriet, gab er diese Städte auf. Da nahmen (die Asura-Herrscher) Zuflucht zu grimmiger Askese und blieben standhaft in der höchsten Disziplin.“
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power secured by boons and fortifications can still provoke fear and stalemate; when direct force fails against what is divinely sanctioned, characters turn to alternative means—here, intense tapas and strict niyama—highlighting how discipline and spiritual effort are portrayed as sources of potency, for good or ill.
Duryodhana recalls a tradition about ancient, boon-protected cities granted by Brahmā. Indra, unable to overcome them, becomes fearful and withdraws; thereafter the opposing side undertakes fierce austerities and strict observances, reinforcing their position.