Shloka 56
Udyoga Parva Adhyaya 62 — Duryodhana’s Claim of Victory and Vidura’s Allegories on Discord and Risk
पाण्डवान् समरे पञ्च हनिष्याम: शितै: शरै: । मैं, विकर्तनपुत्र कर्ण तथा मेरा भाई दुःशासन--हम तीन ही मिलकर युद्धभूमिमें पाँचों पाण्डवोंको तीक्ष्ण बाणोंसे मार डालेंगे
pāṇḍavān samare pañca haniṣyāmaḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ |
Duryodhana declares with arrogant certainty: “In battle we shall slay the five Pāṇḍavas with keen, sharp arrows. I—Karna, son of Vikartana—and my brother Duḥśāsana: we three alone, joined upon the field of war, will strike down all five Pāṇḍavas with piercing shafts.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pride and violent certainty can eclipse discernment and dharma. Duryodhana’s boast exemplifies adharma-driven resolve—confidence rooted in aggression rather than justice—foreshadowing ruin born from moral blindness.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations and preparations, Duryodhana speaks defiantly, asserting that he, Karṇa, and Duḥśāsana together will kill the five Pāṇḍavas in battle with sharp arrows, signaling his refusal to seek peace and his commitment to war.