Shloka 15
Śikhaṇḍinī’s Disclosure, Drupada’s Counsel, and the Petition to Yakṣa Sthūṇākarṇa
Udyoga Parva 192
संजय उवाच श्रुत्वा भीष्मस्य तद् वाक््यं राजा दुर्योधनस्तत: । पर्यपृच्छत राजेन्द्र द्रोणमज्निरसां वरम्,संजय बोले--राजेन्द्र! भीष्मका यह वचन सुनकर राजा दुर्योधनने आंगिरस ब्राह्मणोंमें सबसे श्रेष्ठ द्रोणाचार्यससे पूछा--“आचार्य/ आप कितने समयमें पाण्डुपुत्र युधिष्ठिरके सैनिकोंका संहार कर सकते हैं?” यह प्रश्न सुनकर द्रोणाचार्य हँसते हुए-से बोले --
sañjaya uvāca
śrutvā bhīṣmasya tad vākyaṃ rājā duryodhanas tataḥ |
paryapṛcchat rājendra droṇam āṅgirasāṃ varam ||
Sañjaya said: “O lord of kings! Hearing those words of Bhīṣma, King Duryodhana then questioned Droṇa—foremost among the Āṅgirasa Brahmins—asking, in effect, how quickly he could bring about the destruction of Yudhiṣṭhira’s forces.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a leader’s intent shapes ethical outcomes: Duryodhana’s immediate concern is the speed of annihilating the opposing army, underscoring attachment to victory and violence rather than reconciliation. It frames the coming war as not merely tactical but morally weighty, where elders’ counsel and the dharma of warfare are tested.
After Bhīṣma speaks, Duryodhana turns to Droṇa and questions him closely. In context, he asks how soon Droṇa could destroy Yudhiṣṭhira’s forces—setting up Droṇa’s response (introduced in the surrounding prose/next lines) and advancing the war-council atmosphere of the Udyoga Parva.