Shloka 18
दुर्योधन–द्रोणसंवादः
Arjuna-vīrya-prasaṃśā and renewed battle formation
एकस्याप्यसमर्थस्त्वं फाल्गुनस्य रणाजिरे । कथमुत्सहसे जेतुं सकृष्णान् सर्वपाण्डवान्
ekasyāpy asamarthas tvaṃ phālgunasya raṇājire | katham utsahase jetuṃ sa-kṛṣṇān sarva-pāṇḍavān ||
Sanjaya berkata: “Di medan laga engkau bahkan tak sanggup menghadapi Arjuna seorang diri. Lalu bagaimana engkau berani berharap menaklukkan seluruh Pandawa—terlebih dengan Kresna di pihak mereka?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and strategic danger of arrogance in war: one must realistically assess strength and alliances. It also underscores the decisive moral and tactical weight of Kṛṣṇa’s presence with the Pāṇḍavas, implying that opposing them is not merely a contest of arms but a confrontation with a divinely guided cause.
Sañjaya, reporting events to the blind king Dhṛtarāṣṭra, rebukes a Kaurava-side boast (implicitly addressed to a warrior claiming victory). He points out that the addressee cannot defeat even Arjuna alone, so claiming the ability to conquer all the Pāṇḍavas—who are supported by Kṛṣṇa—is reckless and unrealistic.