Shloka 31
Bhīṣma’s Admonition; Duryodhana’s Rājasūya Aspiration and the Proposal of a Vaiṣṇava-satra
एवमुक्तास्तु गन्धर्व राज्ञ: सेनाग्रयायिन: । सम्प्राद्रवन् यतो राजा धृतराष्ट्रसुतो&$भवत्,गन्धर्वोके ऐसा कहनेपर राजाके सेनानायक योद्धा वहीं भाग गये, जहाँ धृतराष्ट्रपुत्र राजा दुर्योधन स्वयं विराजमान था
evam uktās tu gandharva-rājñaḥ senāgrayāyinaḥ | samprādravan yato rājā dhṛtarāṣṭra-suto 'bhavat ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Ainsi apostrophés par le roi des Gandharvas, les chefs les plus éminents de l’armée s’enfuirent aussitôt vers l’endroit où se tenait le roi, le fils de Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Duryodhana). La scène montre comment la peur et la crise soudaine peuvent dissoudre l’orgueil guerrier, poussant même les commandants à chercher protection et ordre auprès de leur souverain.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly external power and pride can collapse under real danger, and how leadership becomes the focal point in crisis. Ethically, it invites reflection on steadiness (dhairya) and responsible command rather than bravado.
After being spoken to (and effectively checked) by the Gandharva king, the leading warriors of Duryodhana’s army rush to where Duryodhana himself is present, indicating alarm and a regrouping around their king.