Shloka 54
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
शकुनिस्तं समभ्येत्य राजगृद्धी महाबल: । राजानं सर्वलोकस्य रथमारोपयत् स्वकम्,उस समय महाबली शकुनिने, जो राजाको बहुत चाहता था, निकट आकर सम्पूर्ण जगत्के अधिपति दुर्योधनको अपने रथपर चढ़ा लिया
śakunistasamabhyetya rājagṛddhī mahābalaḥ | rājānaṃ sarvalokasya rathamāropayat svakam ||
Sañjaya said: “Then the mighty Śakuni—eager for royal advantage—approached and lifted Duryodhana, the king who claimed lordship over all the world, onto his own chariot.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the pursuit of power (rāja-gṛddhi) and partisan loyalty can energize and protect a leader in conflict, yet such support may be ethically tainted when driven by ambition rather than dharma.
Sañjaya narrates that Śakuni comes close to Duryodhana and places him onto his own chariot, indicating active support and readiness to move him swiftly within the battlefield situation.