Shloka 14
भीष्मरक्षण-उद्योगः, शिखण्डि-विवर्जनं, सर्वतोभद्र-व्यूहः
Protection of Bhīṣma, Exemption of Śikhaṇḍin, and the Sarvatobhadra Array
(अशक्त: प्रतियोदधुं वै दृष्टवा तस्य पराक्रमम् ।) क्षत्रधर्म पुरस्कृत्य आत्मनश्वाभिमानिताम् | प्राप्तेडपक्रमणे राजा तस्थौ गिरिरिवाचल:,वह घटोत्कचके पराक्रमपर दृष्टिपात करके उसका सामना करनेमें असमर्थ हो गया। क्षत्रियधर्म तथा अपने अभिमानको सामने रखकर पलायनका अवसर प्राप्त होनेपर भी राजा दुर्योधन पर्वतकी भाँति अविचलभावसे खड़ा रहा
aśaktaḥ pratiyoddhuṃ vai dṛṣṭvā tasya parākramam | kṣatradharma-puraskṛtya ātmanaś cābhimānitām | prāpte ’pakramaṇe rājā tasthau girir ivācalaḥ ||
Sanjaya said: Seeing that warrior’s might, he found himself unable to face him in combat. Yet, placing the kṣatriya code of honor in the forefront—and driven by his own pride—though he had the chance to withdraw, King Duryodhana stood firm, unmoving like a mountain.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between dharma and ego: Duryodhana frames his refusal to retreat as fidelity to kṣatriya-dharma, yet the text also signals the role of abhimāna (pride). It invites reflection on how ‘duty’ can be upheld with steadiness, but also how personal ego can masquerade as righteousness in moments of crisis.
Sañjaya describes Duryodhana confronted by the formidable prowess of Ghaṭotkaca. Though Duryodhana feels unable to counter him and has an opportunity to withdraw, he chooses to stand his ground, remaining firm like an unmoving mountain.