Shloka 16
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
भगदत्तो महीपाल: पुरन्दरसमो युधि । “यदि उस भयंकर राक्षसराज घटोत्कचपर तुम्हारा अधिक रोष है तो उस दुष्टके साथ युद्ध करनेके लिये राजा भगदत्त जायँ; क्योंकि युद्धमें ये इन्द्रके समान पराक्रमी हैं! || १५६ || एतावदुक्त्वा राजानं भगदत्तमथाब्रवीत्
sañjaya uvāca |
bhagdatto mahīpālaḥ purandara-samo yudhi |
yadi te bhayaṅkara-rākṣasa-rāja ghaṭotkace 'dhiko roṣas tarhi tasya duṣṭasya saha yoddhuṃ rājā bhagdatto yātu, yasmād yuddhe 'yaṃ śakra-samo vīryavān iti ||
etāvad uktvā rājānaṃ bhagdattaṃ athābravīt; kathayāmāsa durdharṣo viniḥśvasya punaḥ punaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “Bhagadatta, the king, is in battle like Purandara (Indra). If your anger against the dreadful rākṣasa-king Ghaṭotkaca is especially great, then let King Bhagadatta go to fight that wicked one; for in war he is as valiant as Indra.” Having said this much, Duryodhana then addressed King Bhagadatta and repeatedly heaved deep sighs as he recounted again and again how Ghaṭotkaca had prevailed and how he himself had been brought to humiliation.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how anger born of wounded pride can distort judgment in war: counsel becomes driven by vengeance rather than dharmic restraint or clear strategy, escalating violence by seeking an ‘equal’ opponent to satisfy rage.
After suffering setbacks due to Ghaṭotkaca, Duryodhana urges that Bhagadatta—praised as Indra-like in battle—should be sent to fight him. Duryodhana, repeatedly sighing, recounts Ghaṭotkaca’s victory and his own humiliation, pressing for a forceful response.