Shloka 31
आदि पर्व — जातुगृह-प्रसङ्गः: विदुरप्रेषित-खनकस्य सूचना तथा पलायन-मार्ग-निर्माणम्
Adi Parva 135: The Miner’s Warning and Construction of the Escape Passage
अश्वत्थाम्ना च सह्िितं भ्रातृणां शतमूर्जितम् । दुर्योधनममित्रघ्नमुत्थितं पर्यवारयत्,शत्रुहन्ता बलवान् दुर्योधन भी उठकर खड़ा हो गया। अश्वत्थामासहित उसके सौ भाइयोंने आकर उसे चारों ओरसे घेर लिया। हाथोंमें आयुध उठाये खड़े हुए अपने भाइयोंसे घिरा हुआ गदाधारी दुर्योधन पूर्वकालमें दानवसंहारके समय देवताओंसे घिरे देवराज इन्द्रके समान शोभा पाने लगा
aśvatthāmnā ca sahitaṃ bhrātṝṇāṃ śatam ūrjitam | duryodhanam amitraghnam utthitaṃ paryavārayat ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Duryodhana—the slayer of foes—rose up, and, accompanied by Aśvatthāmā, his hundred mighty brothers came and formed a protective ring around him. Surrounded by his weapon-bearing brothers, the mace-wielding Duryodhana shone like Indra encircled by the gods of old at the time of the demons’ destruction.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts outward martial splendor with inner ethical alignment: collective strength, loyalty, and heroic display can look radiant—like Indra among the gods—yet such brilliance does not by itself establish dharma. It invites discernment between appearance (glory, power, protection) and righteousness (just cause, right conduct).
Duryodhana stands up, and his hundred brothers—along with Aśvatthāmā—surround him in a protective formation, weapons in hand. The narrator likens his appearance, encircled by allies, to Indra surrounded by the gods during ancient battles against the Dānavas.