Shloka 19
एकैकश: समर्था: स्मो विजेतु सर्वपार्थिवान् । आगच्छन्तु विनेष्यामो दर्पमेषां शितै: शरै:,“हममेंसे एक-एक वीर भी समस्त राजाओंको जीतनेकी शक्ति रखता है। शत्रुलोग आवें तो सही, हम अपने पैने बाणोंसे उनका घमंड चूर-चूर कर देंगे”
ekaikaśaḥ samarthāḥ smo vijetuṃ sarvapārthivān | āgacchantu vineṣyāmo darpam eṣāṃ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Duryodhana declared with swagger: “Each one of us is capable of conquering all the kings. Let the enemies come—by our sharp arrows we shall crush their pride to dust.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how pride and overconfidence (darpa) can become an ethical fault that drives one toward needless violence. Martial ability, when coupled with contempt for others, tends to harden positions and obstruct peace-making—an implicit warning about the moral danger of arrogance in leadership.
In Udyoga Parva, as war becomes imminent, Duryodhana speaks defiantly, claiming that even a single warrior on his side could defeat all kings. He challenges the opposing forces to come and vows to shatter their pride with sharp arrows, signaling his refusal to yield or pursue reconciliation.