Shloka 17
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 72 — Bhīmasena’s counsel on conciliation and Duryodhana’s disposition
कालेन महता चैषां भविष्यति पराभव: । प्रकृतिं ते भजिष्यन्ति नष्टप्रकृतयो मयि,'दीर्घकालके पश्चात् इनकी भारी पराजय होगी। इनकी स्वाभाविक शूरता-वीरता आदि नष्ट हो जायगी और ये मेरे पास ही प्राणत्याग करेंगे”
kālena mahatā caiṣāṁ bhaviṣyati parābhavaḥ | prakṛtiṁ te bhajiṣyanti naṣṭa-prakṛtayo mayi ||
Dijo Yudhiṣṭhira: «Con el paso del tiempo, y tras una larga espera, una gran ruina caerá sin duda sobre ellos. Su disposición natural—valor, vigor y lo semejante—quedará quebrantada; privados de su verdadera naturaleza, al fin volverán a su propia condición y hallarán su término ante mi presencia.»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses the moral logic of time and consequence: arrogance and adharma may appear strong for a while, but in the long run they lead to inner collapse—loss of steadiness, courage, and right judgment—ending in inevitable downfall.
Yudhiṣṭhira speaks with foreboding certainty about the opposing side’s future: after a long period, they will suffer a major defeat; their natural strength will deteriorate, and they will ultimately come to ruin in relation to him (i.e., in his presence/under his authority).