Shloka 8

Adhyāya 10: Śrutakarmā’s Engagements; Prativindhya–Citra Duel; Drauṇi Advances toward Bhīma

Devanagari script

ततो दुर्योधनो राजा साम्ना परमवल्गुना । तानाभाष्य महेष्वासान्‌ प्राप्तकालमभाषत,उस समय राजा दुर्योधनने सान्त्वनापूर्ण परम मधुर वाणीद्वारा उन महाधनुर्धर नरेशोंको सम्बोधित करके यह समयोचित बात कही--:बुद्धिमानोंमें श्रेष्ठ नरेश्वरो! तुम सब लोग शीघ्र बोलो, विलम्ब न करो, इस अवस्थामें हमलोगोंको क्या करना चाहिये और सबसे अधिक आवश्यक कर्तव्य क्या है?”

Transliteration

tato duryodhano rājā sāmnā paramavalgūnā | tān ābhāṣya maheṣvāsān prāptakālam abhāṣata ||

Translation

Then King Duryodhana, using conciliatory and exceedingly sweet words, addressed those great bowmen and spoke what was timely: “O best of wise kings! Speak quickly—do not delay. In this situation, what should we do, and what duty is most urgently required?”

Word by Word

ततःthen, thereafter

दुर्योधनःDuryodhana

राजाthe king

साम्नाwith conciliation / by gentle means

परमवल्गुनाwith exceedingly sweet (speech)

तान्those (men)

आभाष्यhaving addressed

महेष्वासान्great bowmen

प्राप्तकालम्timely, appropriate to the occasion

अभाषतspoke, said

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sanjaya

Duryodhana

maheṣvāsaḥ (great bowmen/kings)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even in crisis, a ruler must seek timely counsel and identify the most urgent duty (kartavya). The verse highlights leadership through consultation and the ethical pressure of choosing the right action under war-time constraints.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya reports that Duryodhana, using soothing and persuasive words, addresses the assembled great archers/kings on his side and urges them to speak without delay about what should be done next and what duty is most necessary at that moment.