Shloka 17
Dvaipāyana-hrade Duryodhanasya Māyā — Yudhiṣṭhirasya Dharmoktiḥ (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 30)
न त्वेतदद्भधुतं वीरा यद् वो महदिदं मनः । अस्मासु च परा भक्तिर्न तु काल: पराक्रमे
na tv etad adbhutaṃ vīrā yad vo mahad idaṃ manaḥ | asmāsu ca parā bhaktir na tu kālaḥ parākrame ||
Duryodhana said: “This is not at all surprising, O heroes, that your hearts are filled with such great resolve for battle. Your deep devotion to me is also evident; yet this is not the moment to display your prowess.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when courage and loyalty are abundant, wise action depends on kāla—choosing the proper time. Valor without timing can become wasteful or strategically harmful.
Duryodhana addresses his warriors, acknowledging their battle-ardor and devotion to him, but restrains them by saying that the present moment is not the right time to unleash their full prowess.