Shloka 18
भीष्मस्य दुर्योधनं प्रति उपालम्भः
Bhīṣma’s Reproof to Duryodhana
दुर्योधनो महाराज राक्षसान् समुपाद्रवत् । अमर्षवशमापतन्नस्त्यक्त्वा जीवितमात्मन:
sañjaya uvāca | duryodhano mahārāja rākṣasān samupādravat | amarṣavaśam āpatan na tyaktvā jīvitam ātmanaḥ ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Oh Rey, Duryodhana, dominado por una indignación feroz, se lanzó de frente contra aquellos Rākṣasas, desechando toda preocupación por su propia vida. Tras ver quebrados y aniquilados a sus jinetes de elefante, eligió un valor temerario antes que la preservación, movido por el orgullo herido y la ira en medio del caos de la guerra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger and wounded pride (amarṣa) can overpower discernment, pushing a warrior toward rash action and disregard for life. It implicitly contrasts impulsive, ego-driven courage with steadier, dharma-guided judgment.
After his elephant-mounted fighters have been broken and destroyed, Duryodhana—stung by humiliation and fury—charges at the Rākṣasa warriors. Sañjaya reports this to the king, emphasizing Duryodhana’s rage and his willingness to risk his life.