Shloka 23
शल्यवधे कौरवसेनाभङ्गः, भीमस्य गदायुद्धं, दुर्योधनस्य समाह्वानम्
Rout after Śalya’s fall; Bhīma’s mace engagement; Duryodhana’s rally
अलं क्रोद्धुमथैतेषां नायं काल उपेक्षितुम् । याम: सर्वे च सम्भूय सवाजिरथकुज्जरा:
alaṁ kroddhum athaiteṣāṁ nāyaṁ kāla upekṣitum | yāmaḥ sarve ca sambhūya savājirathakuñjarāḥ ||
Duryodhana said: “Enough of anger toward them; this is no time to stand indifferent. Let us all set out together—with our horses, chariots, and elephants.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes disciplined leadership in crisis: anger and fixation on resentment are unproductive when decisive action is required. The ethical subtext is that a leader must convert emotion into coordinated effort, especially in a dharmic framework where timely duty (kāla) matters.
Duryodhana addresses his side, urging them not to waste the moment in anger or passivity. He calls for everyone to assemble and move out together with the full military complement—horses, chariots, and elephants—signaling immediate mobilization for battle.