Shloka 11
को वा कुरून् द्रोणभीष्माभिगुप्ता- नश्वृत्थाम्ना शल्यकृपादिभिश्न । रणे विजेतुं विषहेत राजन् राधेयगुप्तान् सह भूमिपालै:,राजन! इसी प्रकार द्रोणाचार्य, भीष्म, अश्वत्थामा, शल्य, कृपाचार्य आदि वीरों तथा अन्य राजाओंसहित कर्णके द्वारा सुरक्षित कौरवोंको युद्धमें जीतननेका साहस कौन कर सकता है?
ko vā kurūn droṇa-bhīṣmābhiguptān aśvatthāmnā śalya-kṛpādibhiś ca | raṇe vijetuṁ viṣaheta rājan rādheya-guptān saha bhūmipālaiḥ ||
Sanjaya said: O King, who could possibly dare to conquer in battle the Kurus—protected by Droṇa and Bhīṣma, by Aśvatthāmā, Śalya, Kṛpa and other heroes, and guarded as well by Rādheya (Karna) together with many kings?
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the near-impossibility of victory when a side is defended by legendary elders and masters, implying that war is not merely a contest of arms but a confrontation with accumulated authority, loyalty, and moral complexity—especially when teachers and revered figures stand in the ranks.
Sanjaya addresses King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, emphasizing the formidable defensive strength of the Kauravas: they are protected by Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Aśvatthāmā, Śalya, Kṛpa, Karṇa, and many allied kings, making any attempt to defeat them in battle seem extraordinarily difficult.