Shloka 36
कर्णभीमसमागमः | Karṇa–Bhīma Encounter
ततो राजा महाप्राज्ञ: सर्वास्त्रकुशलो बली । दुर्योधनो<ब्रवीच्छल्यं मद्रराज॑ महीपतिम्
tato rājā mahāprājñaḥ sarvāstrakuśalo balī | duryodhano 'bravīc chalyaṃ madrarājaṃ mahīpatim ||
Then King Duryodhana—highly intelligent, powerful, and skilled in every weapon—addressed Śalya, the ruler of Madra, a sovereign among kings. The moment signals Duryodhana’s reliance on counsel and alliance amid the moral strain of war, where strategic speech and loyalty can be as decisive as arms.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power in war is not only martial skill but also the ability to seek and use counsel; yet ethical tension remains, because alliances and persuasive speech can be employed in service of adharma as easily as dharma.
Sanjaya reports that Duryodhana, described as strong and expert in weapons, turns to address Śalya, the Madra king—setting up a request, instruction, or strategic conversation relevant to the unfolding battle.