Shloka 31
Droṇa’s Resolve to Restrain Yudhiṣṭhira and Arjuna’s Protective Vow (द्रोणस्य युधिष्ठिरनिग्रह-प्रयत्नः)
ततो दुर्योधनेनापि ग्रहणं पाण्डवस्य तत् | (स्कन्धावारेषु सर्वेषु यथास्थानेषु मारिष ।) सैन्यस्थानेषु सर्वेषु सुघोषितमरिंदम,शत्रुओंका दमन करनेवाले आर्य धृतराष्ट्र! तदनन्तर दुर्योधनने युद्धकी सारी छावनियोंमें तथा सेनाके विश्राम करनेके प्राय: सभी स्थानोंपर द्रोणाचार्यकी युधिष्ठिरको पकड़ लानेकी उस प्रतिज्ञाको घोषित करवा दिया
tato duryodhanenāpi grahaṇaṁ pāṇḍavasya tat | (skandhāvāreṣu sarveṣu yathāsthāneṣu māriṣa |) sainyasthāneṣu sarveṣu sughoṣitam ariṁdama ||
Sañjaya said: “Thereafter, Duryodhana too had that resolve—namely, the seizing of the Pāṇḍava (Yudhiṣṭhira)—publicly proclaimed. In all the army-camps and at their proper stations, throughout the various resting-places of the forces, the announcement was loudly made.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse shows how a leader’s declared objective—especially one aimed at capturing a central righteous figure—can mobilize an entire army and escalate conflict. Ethically, it underscores the power of public vows and proclamations to shape collective intent, for good or ill.
After the prior development concerning the plan to seize the chief Pāṇḍava (Yudhiṣṭhira), Duryodhana orders that this aim be loudly announced across all camps and military stations, making the capture a widely known and coordinated goal.