Shloka 43
भीष्मरथाभिमुख्यं — Arjuna’s advance with Śikhaṇḍin; Duḥśāsana’s interception
भीष्म॑ द्रोणं कृपं चैव शल्यं चोवाच भारत । युध्यध्वमनहंकारा: कि चिरं कुरुथेति च
sañjaya uvāca | bhīṣmaṃ droṇaṃ kṛpaṃ caiva śalyaṃ covāca bhārata | yudhyadhvam anahaṃkārāḥ kiṃ ciraṃ kurutheti ca ||
Sañjaya dit : «Alors Duryodhana s’adressa à Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa et Śalya : “Combattez, en rejetant l’orgueil et l’importance de soi. Pourquoi tardez-vous si longtemps ?” Ce moment montre comment, dans la fièvre de la guerre, l’impatience et l’ego poussent les chefs à presser les anciens et les maîtres, transformant le devoir en rivalité de prestige plutôt qu’en poursuite disciplinée de la conduite juste.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between duty in battle and the corrupting influence of ego and impatience. Even when urging ‘fight without ego,’ Duryodhana’s command reveals how pride and urgency can distort dharma into mere victory-seeking.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana addresses senior Kaurava commanders—Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, and Śalya—pressing them to engage decisively and questioning their delay, thereby intensifying the momentum of the battle.