Shloka 43
भीष्मो द्रोण: कृपो द्रौणि: कर्णो भूरिश्रवास्तथा । प्राग्ज्योतिषाधिप: शल्य: सिन्धुराजो जयद्रथ:
bhīṣmo droṇaḥ kṛpo drauṇiḥ karṇo bhūriśravās tathā | prāgjyotiṣādhipaḥ śalyaḥ sindhurājo jayadrathaḥ ||
Duryodhana said: “Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāman), Karṇa, and Bhūriśravas as well; Śalya, the lord of Prāgjyotiṣa; and Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu—these are the foremost among my supporters.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how leaders often justify confidence through the strength of allies and renowned champions. Ethically, it invites reflection on the difference between might and right: assembling great warriors can secure power, but it does not by itself establish dharma or moral legitimacy.
In Udyoga Parva, as war becomes imminent, Duryodhana enumerates the principal warriors and kings aligned with him. This roll-call functions as a strategic and psychological assertion of strength, signaling readiness for conflict and the breadth of his coalition.