Shloka 12
भीमसेन-दुर्योधन-प्रहारः तथा घटोत्कचमायाप्रादुर्भावः | Bhīmasena–Duryodhana Clash and the Manifestation of Ghaṭotkaca’s Māyā
तथा सर्वेण सैन्येन राजा दुर्योधनस्तदा । द्रौणेरनन्तंर प्रायात् सौदर्य: परिवारित:,अश्वत्थामाके पीछे सम्पूर्ण सेना तथा भाइयोंसे घिरा हुआ राजा दुर्योधन चल रहा था
tathā sarveṇa sainyena rājā duryodhanas tadā | drauṇer anantaraṁ prāyāt saudaryaḥ parivāritaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then King Duryodhana, surrounded by all his forces and encircled by his brothers, advanced close behind Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāman). The scene underscores how Duryodhana relies on martial strength and kinship solidarity as he presses forward in the unfolding war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a wartime ethic of reliance on collective strength—army and brothers—showing how power and kinship bonds shape a ruler’s conduct in conflict. It also invites reflection on leadership driven by force and factional support rather than inner restraint or dharmic clarity.
Sañjaya reports troop movement: Duryodhana, surrounded by the full Kaurava host and his brothers, advances immediately behind Aśvatthāman (Droṇa’s son), indicating coordinated positioning and the king’s close alignment with a key warrior.