Shloka 18
दुर्योधन–द्रोणसंवादः
Arjuna-vīrya-prasaṃśā and renewed battle formation
एकस्याप्यसमर्थस्त्वं फाल्गुनस्य रणाजिरे । कथमुत्सहसे जेतुं सकृष्णान् सर्वपाण्डवान्
ekasyāpy asamarthas tvaṃ phālgunasya raṇājire | katham utsahase jetuṃ sa-kṛṣṇān sarva-pāṇḍavān ||
Sañjaya said: “You are not capable of facing even Arjuna alone on the battlefield. How, then, do you dare to hope to conquer all the Pāṇḍavas—especially with Kṛṣṇa at their side?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and strategic danger of arrogance in war: one must realistically assess strength and alliances. It also underscores the decisive moral and tactical weight of Kṛṣṇa’s presence with the Pāṇḍavas, implying that opposing them is not merely a contest of arms but a confrontation with a divinely guided cause.
Sañjaya, reporting events to the blind king Dhṛtarāṣṭra, rebukes a Kaurava-side boast (implicitly addressed to a warrior claiming victory). He points out that the addressee cannot defeat even Arjuna alone, so claiming the ability to conquer all the Pāṇḍavas—who are supported by Kṛṣṇa—is reckless and unrealistic.