Shloka 13
प्रत्युवाच महाबाहुरदीनात्मा सुतस्तव । संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! मद्रराज शल्यको ऐसी बातें करते देख आपके शत्रुदमन पुत्र महाबाहु दुर्योधनने मनमें तनिक भी दीनता न लाकर उन्हें इस प्रकार उत्तर दिया-- ।। १२ $ || मावमंस्था महाबाहो कर्ण वैकर्तनं रणे
sañjaya uvāca | pratyuvāca mahābāhur adīnātma sutas tava | māvamam̐sthā mahābāho karṇa vaikartanaṁ raṇe ||
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai Raja, melihat raja Madra, Śalya, berbicara demikian, putramu Duryodhana—berlengan perkasa dan tak gentar—menjawab tanpa sedikit pun surut hati: “Wahai yang berlengan perkasa, janganlah meremehkan Karna Vaikartana dalam pertempuran.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power of speech in crisis: disparaging words can erode courage and unity, while a leader’s duty is to protect morale and uphold the honor of allies. Duryodhana’s response models steadfastness and loyalty, even amid internal tension.
After Shalya’s discouraging remarks about Karna, Duryodhana—undismayed—answers firmly, instructing Shalya not to belittle Karna in the context of battle, where confidence and cohesion are crucial.