Shloka 9
द्रोणपर्व — अध्याय ९०: हार्दिक्यस्य पराक्रमः
Kṛtavarmā’s Stand against the Pāṇḍavas
ततो रथसहस्रेण द्विरदानां शतेन च । त्रिभिरश्वसहसौैश्ष पदातीनां शतै: शतै:,तदनन्तर एक हजार रथी, सौ हाथीसवार, तीन हजार घुड़सवार और दस हजार पैदल सैनिकोंके साथ आकर अर्जुनसे डेढ़ हजार धनुषकी दूरीपर स्थित हो समस्त कौरव सैनिकोंके आगे होकर आपके पुत्र दुर्मर्षणने इस प्रकार कहा--
tato rathasahasreṇa dviradānāṁ śatena ca | tribhir aśvasahasraiś ca padātīnāṁ śataiḥ śataiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Thereafter, accompanied by a thousand chariots, a hundred elephants, three thousand horsemen, and hundreds upon hundreds of foot-soldiers, Durmarṣaṇa—placing himself at the head of the Kaurava host—took up a position at a measured distance from Arjuna and spoke as follows. The scene underscores how martial power is deliberately arranged and displayed, yet its moral weight depends on the purpose it serves and the restraint with which it is used.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that sheer military strength and impressive formations are morally neutral; their ethical value depends on intention, rightful cause (dharma), and disciplined conduct. It implicitly contrasts outward power with inner righteousness and restraint.
Sañjaya reports that Durmarṣaṇa advances with a sizable combined force—chariots, elephants, cavalry, and infantry—taking the lead before the Kaurava troops and positioning himself at a set distance from Arjuna, preparing to address him.