Shloka 12
Nārada’s Visit at Indraprastha and Counsel on Concord; Introduction to Sundopasunda–Tilottamā
तस्मिंस्त्वभिहते राजन् हतोत्साहा हतौजस: । यतिष्यन्ते न राज्याय स हि तेषां व्यपाश्रय:,राजन! उसके मारे जानेपर पाण्डवोंका बल और उत्साह नष्ट हो जायगा। फिर वे राज्य लेनेका प्रयत्न नहीं करेंगे। भीमसेन ही उनका सबसे बड़ा आश्रय है
tasmiṁstv abhihate rājan hatoৎসāhā hataujaḥ | yatiṣyante na rājyāya sa hi teṣāṁ vyapāśrayaḥ ||
O King, if he is struck down, the Pāṇḍavas will lose both their courage and their strength. They will no longer strive to win the kingdom, for he is their chief support and refuge.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a strategic and ethical insight: in conflict, leaders often aim not only at physical defeat but at breaking the opponent’s morale by removing the figure seen as their primary support. It also cautions that over-reliance on a single champion can be perceived as a vulnerability.
Duryodhana is advising a king (his ally) that if the key warrior supporting the Pāṇḍavas is killed, their courage and strength will collapse and they will stop striving for the kingdom. The context treats Bhīma as the principal pillar of their confidence.