Shloka 11
द्रोणसेनापत्यं, व्यूहविन्यासः, उत्पातदर्शनं, आरम्भयुद्धम्
Droṇa’s Command, Battle-Formations, Omens, and Opening Engagement
ध्रुवं युधिष्ठिरं संख्ये सानुबन्धं सबान्धवम् | जेष्यामि पुरुषव्यात्र भवान् सेनापतियदि,पुरुषसिंह! यदि आप मेरे सेनापति हो जाय॑ँ तो मैं युद्धमें निश्चय ही भाइयों तथा सगे- सम्बन्धियोंसहित युधिष्ठिरको जीत लूँगा
dhruvaṁ yudhiṣṭhiraṁ saṅkhye sānubandhaṁ sabāndhavam | jeṣyāmi puruṣavyāghra bhavān senāpatir yadi ||
Duryodhana dit : «Au cœur de la mêlée, je vaincrai assurément Yudhiṣṭhira—avec tous ses soutiens et tous les siens—si toi, tigre parmi les hommes, tu consens à devenir mon commandant. Avec toi pour général, je suis certain de le vaincre, lui, ses frères et ses parents alliés.»
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how victory in war is often framed as dependent on leadership and command; it also reveals the ethical tension of seeking triumph over one’s own kin and allies, showing how ambition can override familial and dharmic restraints.
Duryodhana addresses a heroic figure (the prospective commander) and asserts that if this person becomes his senāpati, he will certainly defeat Yudhiṣṭhira in battle, along with Yudhiṣṭhira’s brothers, supporters, and relatives.