Shloka 256
भीष्म-पर्व अध्याय १०० — त्रिगर्त-आक्रमण, भीष्म-केन्द्रित पुनर्संयोजन, तथा शक्त्यस्त्र-विनिमय
प्रादुर्बभूवु: सहिता: शक्रस्येवामरा दिवि । राजा दुर्योधनकी रक्षाके लिये समस्त सुहृद् अस्त्र-शस्त्र लेकर उसी प्रकार उसके साथ हो गये थे, जैसे स्वर्गमें देवता इन्द्रकी रक्षाके लिये उनके साथ रहते हैं
prādurbabhūvuḥ sahitāḥ śakrasyevāmarā divi | rājā duryodhanasya rakṣārthaṁ samastāḥ suhṛdaḥ astrāṇi śastrāṇi ca gṛhītvā tathaiva tena saha samāgatāḥ, yathā svargaloke devā indrasya rakṣārthaṁ saha tiṣṭhanti |
Karna said: Just as the immortals in heaven stand together to protect Śakra (Indra), so too all the king Duryodhana’s well-wishers appeared in unity, taking up their weapons and gathering at his side for his defense. The verse frames their solidarity as a protective duty toward their leader, while also underscoring how war binds loyalty to power and kinship into a single, formidable force.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights collective duty and loyalty: allies unite to protect their leader, likened to the gods protecting Indra. Ethically, it also invites reflection on how solidarity and devotion can serve either righteous or unrighteous causes depending on the leader’s dharma.
Karna describes Duryodhana’s supporters assembling with weapons to guard him. Their gathering is compared to the gods in heaven standing with Indra for his protection, emphasizing the scale and unity of Duryodhana’s backing in the war context.