Shloka 96
काकोपमोपदेशः
The Crow-and-Swan Exemplum as Counsel to Karṇa
सारथिं चोदयामास याहि यत्र सुयोधन: । तब मदस्रावी हाथीके समान कुपित हुए राजा युधिष्ठिरने भी अपने सारथिको आज्ञा दी, “जहाँ दुर्योधन है, वहीं चलो”
sārathiṁ codayāmāsa yāhi yatra suyodhanaḥ |
Sañjaya said: (Yudhiṣṭhira) urged his charioteer, “Drive on—go to where Suyodhana (Duryodhana) is.” In the heat of battle, Yudhiṣṭhira’s command reflects a deliberate resolve to confront the principal adversary directly, placing duty to the war’s decisive aim above hesitation or personal fear.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights purposeful action in dharma-yuddha: a leader must keep focus on the decisive objective and face the chief source of conflict directly, rather than being diverted by lesser engagements.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira orders his charioteer to drive toward Duryodhana (Suyodhana), indicating Yudhiṣṭhira’s intent to engage the Kaurava leader on the battlefield.