Shloka 18
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ५४: दुर्योधनस्य धृतराष्ट्रं प्रति बलप्रशंसन-युक्तः आश्वासनवादः
Duryodhana’s Reassurance and Force-Praise to Dhritarashtra
अभिद्र॒ग्धा: परे चेन्नो न भेतव्यं परंतप । असमर्था: परे जेतुमस्मान् युधि समास्थितान्,भारत! मेरी यह बात सुनकर आचार्य द्रोण, पितामह भीष्म, कृपाचार्य तथा अश्व॒त्थामाने मुझे बड़ी भारी चिन्तामें पड़कर सम्पूर्ण इन्द्रियोंसे व्यथित हुआ जान आश्वासन देते हुए कहा--'परंतप! यदि शत्रुपक्षेके लोग हमसे द्रोह रखते हैं तो तुम्हें डरना नहीं चाहिये। शत्रुलोग युद्धमें उपस्थित होनेपर हमें जीतनेमें असमर्थ हैं
abhidragdhāḥ pare cen no na bhetavyaṃ paraṃtapa | asamarthāḥ pare jetum asmān yudhi samāsthitān, bhārata ||
Duryodhana said: “If the opposing side bears malice toward us, you, O scorcher of foes, should not be afraid. Those enemies are not capable of defeating us when we stand arrayed in battle, O Bhārata.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse conveys a kṣatriya-style exhortation to steadiness: even if the opponent is hostile, fear should not govern one’s conduct; resolve and preparedness in a righteous contest are presented as antidotes to anxiety.
In the war-preparations of the Udyoga Parva, Duryodhana voices reassurance and bravado, asserting that the enemy camp—despite its ill-will—will be unable to defeat his side once both armies are arrayed for battle.