Shloka 45
Karṇa’s advance against the Pāṇḍava host; Arjuna’s clash with the Saṃśaptakas (कर्णस्य पाण्डवसेनाप्रवेशः—अर्जुनस्य संशप्तकसंप्रहारः)
ते यूयं स्थाणुमीशानं जिष्णुमक्लिष्टकारिणम् | योद्धारं वृणुतादित्या: स तान् हन्ता सुरेतरान्,तप उग्र॑ समास्थाय नियमे परमे स्थिता: । उस समय देवताओंने दैत्योंको परास्त कर दिया था, यह हमारे सुननेमें आया है। राजन! दैत्योंके परास्त हो जानेपर तारकासुरके तीन पुत्र ताराक्ष, कमलाक्ष और विद्युन्माली उग्र तपस्याका आश्रय ले उत्तम नियमोंका पालन करने लगे “अत: अदितिकुमारो! तुमलोग अनायास ही महान् कर्म करनेवाले, विजयशील, ईश्वर, महादेवजीका योद्धाके रूपमें वरण करो। वे ही उन दैत्योंको मार सकते हैं!
te yūyaṃ sthāṇum īśānaṃ jiṣṇum akliṣṭakāriṇam | yoddhāraṃ vṛṇutādityāḥ sa tān hantā suretarān | tapa ugraṃ samāsthāya niyame parame sthitāḥ |
Duryodhana said: “O sons of Aditi, choose as your champion that Lord—Sthāṇu, Īśāna—ever-victorious and unfailing in action. He alone can slay those foes of the gods. For it is heard that when the Daityas had been overcome, Tārakāsura’s three sons—Tārakākṣa, Kamalākṣa, and Vidyunmālī—took refuge in fierce austerity and stood firm in the highest disciplines. Therefore, appoint Mahādeva as your warrior; only he is capable of destroying such adversaries.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a mythic precedent to argue that extraordinary threats—especially those strengthened by severe tapas and strict vows—require an equally extraordinary, divinely sanctioned counterforce. It highlights the perceived efficacy of austerity and the need for rightful, capable leadership in confronting empowered adversaries.
Duryodhana cites a well-known account: after the Daityas were defeated, Tārakāsura’s three sons undertook fierce austerities and strict disciplines. On that basis he urges the Ādityas to choose Śiva (Sthāṇu/Īśāna/Mahādeva) as their champion, asserting that only he can destroy such formidable enemies of the gods.