Shloka 14
Trita in the Well (Udapāna-kathā) — Balarāma’s Tīrtha Observances
मैत्रनक्षत्रयोगे सम सहित: सर्वयादवै: । आश्रयामास भोजस्तु दुर्योधनमरिंदम:,इसके बाद शत्रुओंका दमन करनेवाले कृतव्माने सम्पूर्ण यादवोंके साथ अनुराधानक्षत्रमें दुर्योधनका पक्ष ग्रहण किया
maitranakṣatrayoge sama sahitaḥ sarvayādavaiḥ | āśrayāmāsa bhojas tu duryodhanam ariṃdamaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Dalam pertautan bintang Maitra (Anurādhā), sang pahlawan Bhoja—penakluk musuh—bersama seluruh Yādava, mengambil perlindungan pada Duryodhana dan memihak kepadanya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that choosing an alliance in wartime is a morally consequential act. Even when framed through auspicious timing (nakṣatra-yoga), the ethical burden remains: whom one supports can strengthen adharma or uphold dharma.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that a Bhoja leader, accompanied by the Yādavas, formally aligns with Duryodhana during the Maitra/Anurādhā nakṣatra conjunction—indicating a decisive political shift toward the Kaurava side.