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 ||
दीर्घ काल बीतने पर इन पर भारी पराजय अवश्य आएगी। इनकी स्वाभाविक वीरता-तेज नष्ट हो जाएगा; अपनी प्रकृति से च्युत होकर ये अंततः मेरे ही सामने प्राण त्याग करेंगे।
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).