Shloka 17
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
हर्षयन्तः स्वसैन्यानि ययुस्तव सुतैः सह । मद्र, त्रिगर्त, अम्बष्ठ, प्रतीच्य, उदीच्य, मालव, शिबि, शूरसेन, शूद्र, मलद, सौवीर, कितव, प्राच्य तथा दाक्षिणात्य वीर--ये सब-के-सब आपके पुत्र दुर्योधनको आगे करके सूतपुत्र कर्णके पृष्ठभागमें रहकर अपनी सेनाओंको हर्ष प्रदान करते हुए आपके पुत्रोंके साथ चले ।। प्रवर: सर्वयोधानां बलेषु बलमादधत्
harṣayantaḥ svasainyāni yayus tava sutaiḥ saha | madra-trigarta-ambaṣṭha-pratīcya-udīcya-mālava-śibi-śūrasena-śūdra-malad-sauvīra-kitava-prācyā tathā dākṣiṇātyā vīrāḥ—ye sarve tava putraṃ duryodhanaṃ puraskṛtya sūtaputra-karṇasya pṛṣṭhabhāge sthitvā svasenā harṣayantaḥ tava sutaiḥ saha yayuḥ || pravaraḥ sarvayodhānāṃ baleṣu balam ādadat |
Sañjaya said: Cheering their own divisions, the warriors—Madras, Trigartas, Ambaṣṭhas, the westerners and northerners, Mālavas, Śibis, Śūrasenas, Śūdras, Maladas, Sauvīras, Kitavas, the easterners, and also the southern heroes—all advanced together with your sons. Placing Duryodhana at the front, they moved in the rear of Karṇa, the charioteer’s son, heartening their troops as they went. And the foremost among all fighters infused strength into the forces.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how leadership and morale shape collective action in war: allies rally behind a chosen front-leader (Duryodhana) while aligning tactically with a key champion (Karṇa). Ethically, it underscores the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension—organizational strength and enthusiasm can serve a cause regardless of its righteousness, reminding readers to distinguish strategic success from dharmic legitimacy.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that many regional contingents allied to the Kauravas march together. They place Duryodhana at the head of the advance, position themselves behind Karṇa, and move forward while encouraging their troops; a foremost warrior is described as strengthening the army’s fighting power.