Shloka 13
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)
कि पुनस्त्वयि दुर्धर्षे सैनापत्ये व्यवस्थिते । द्रोणे च पुरुषव्याप्रे स्थिते युद्धाभिनन्दिनि,फिर जब आपज-जैसे दुर्धर्ष वीर हमारे सेनापतिके पदपर स्थित हैं तथा युद्धका अभिनन्दन करनेवाले पुरुष-सिंह द्रोणाचार्य-जैसे योद्धा मेरे लिये युद्धभूमिमें उपस्थित हैं, तब तो मुझे भय हो ही कैसे सकता है?
ki punas tvayi durdharṣe saināpatye vyavasthite | droṇe ca puruṣavyāpre sthite yuddhābhinandini ||
Duryodhana said: “How could there be any fear for me, when you—so hard to assail—stand firmly appointed as commander of the army, and when Droṇa too, that lion among men who delights in battle, is stationed here?”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how reliance on powerful allies and military leadership can generate confidence, yet it also reflects the ethical tension of grounding assurance in martial strength rather than in dharma or just cause.
Duryodhana is bolstering morale by pointing to the presence of a formidable commander and to Droṇa, a renowned warrior who welcomes battle, implying that with such champions on his side he has no reason to fear the coming war.