Shloka 236
शल्यपर्व — चतुर्विंशोऽध्यायः | Śalya Parva, Chapter 24: Disruption of Kaurava Formations and the Elephant Encirclement
अपृच्छत् क्षत्रियांस्तत्र क्व नु राजा महाबल: । वह तुरंत कौरव-सेनामें पहुँचकर सबको युद्धके लिये शीघ्रता करनेकी प्रेरणा देता हुआ बोला--“शत्रुओंका दमन करनेवाले वीरो! तुम हर्ष और उत्साहके साथ युद्ध करो।” ऐसा कहकर उसने वहाँ बारंबार क्षत्रियोंसे पूछा--“महाबली राजा दुर्योधन कहाँ है?”
sañjaya uvāca | apṛcchat kṣatriyāṁs tatra kva nu rājā mahābalaḥ |
Sañjaya said: There he repeatedly questioned the assembled warriors: “Where indeed is the mighty king?” Having quickly reached the Kaurava host, he urged all to hasten to battle, declaring, “Heroes who subdue the foe, fight with joy and ardor!” And after saying this, he again and again asked the kṣatriyas there: “Where is King Duryodhana, so great in strength?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in a crisis: leaders and messengers sustain collective resolve by urging disciplined courage and timely action, even amid uncertainty about command.
Sañjaya reaches the Kaurava forces, exhorts the warriors to fight with enthusiasm, and repeatedly asks where King Duryodhana is, indicating urgency and concern about the king’s whereabouts.