Shloka 19
Dambhodbhava, Nara-Nārāyaṇa, and the Counsel to Abandon Hubris
Udyoga-parva 94
यत्र भीष्मश्न द्रोणश्न॒ कृप: कर्णो विविंशति: । अश्रत्थामा विकर्णश्न॒ सोमदत्तो5थ बाह्विक:
yatra bhīṣmaś ca droṇaś ca kṛpaḥ karṇo viviṁśatiḥ | aśvatthāmā vikarṇaś ca somadatto 'tha bāhlikaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „O Bester aus dem Bharata-Geschlecht! Auf der Seite, wo Bhīṣma und Droṇa stehen, dazu Kṛpa, Karṇa, Viviṁśati, Aśvatthāmā, Vikarṇa, Somadatta und Bāhlika — welcher König von verkehrtem Urteil würde es wählen, gegen Krieger von solcher Größe Krieg zu führen?“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical irrationality of initiating war against a side strengthened by eminent elders and master-warriors. It implies that such a choice reflects distorted judgment (viparīta-buddhi), where pride and attachment override dharma-informed counsel.
Vaiśampāyana enumerates leading Kuru-side champions—Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and others—to emphasize the overwhelming martial authority present on that side. The rhetorical question frames the impending conflict as a consequence of misguided royal decision-making rather than necessity.