Shloka 22
जतुगृहदाहः — The Burning of the Lac House and the Pāṇḍavas’ Concealed Escape
ततो दुर्योधनेनापि स भ्रात्रा समरोद्यत: । परिष्वक्त: स्थित: कर्ण: प्रगृह्मा सशरं धनु:,तब भाइयोंसहित दुर्योधनने भी धनुष-बाण ले युद्धके लिये तैयार खड़े हुए कर्णका आलिंगन किया
tato duryodhanenāpi sa bhrātrā samarodyataḥ | pariṣvaktaḥ sthitaḥ karṇaḥ pragṛhya saśaraṃ dhanuḥ ||
Then Duryodhana too—together with his brother—rose ready for battle. Embracing Karṇa, he stood firm, taking up his bow with arrows, signaling resolve and solidarity as the conflict moved toward open confrontation.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the power of chosen alliances and public gestures of solidarity in moments of moral and political crisis: Duryodhana’s embrace affirms loyalty to Karṇa and steels their party for conflict, illustrating how personal bonds can intensify commitment to a cause—whether righteous or not.
As tensions sharpen toward violence, Duryodhana, accompanied by his brother, prepares for battle. He embraces Karṇa and stands ready with bow and arrows, marking Karṇa’s role as a principal supporter and champion on Duryodhana’s side.