Shloka 20
अभिमन्यु–अलम्बुसयुद्धम् / The Duel of Abhimanyu and Alambusa
with Arjuna’s approach to Bhīṣma
गुरुं प्रव्यथितं दृष्टवा राजा दुर्योधन: स्वयम् । द्रौणायनिश्च संक्रुद्धों भीमसेनमभिद्रुतो,आचार्य द्रोणको व्यथासे पीड़ित देख स्वयं राजा दुर्योधन और अभ्व॒त्थामा दोनों अत्यन्त कुपित हो भीमसेनपर टूट पड़े
guruṁ pravyathitaṁ dṛṣṭvā rājā duryodhanaḥ svayam | drauṇāyaniś ca saṁkruddho bhīmasenam abhidrutaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing his teacher grievously shaken, King Duryodhana himself—together with Drauṇāyani (Aśvatthāmā), inflamed with anger—rushed straight at Bhīmasena. The scene underscores how loyalty to one’s preceptor and wounded pride can intensify violence on the battlefield, driving leaders to personal combat rather than restraint.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how attachment—especially to one’s teacher and one’s side—can turn grief into anger, pushing warriors toward impulsive retaliation. Ethically, it warns that unchecked wrath (krodha) narrows judgment and accelerates harm, even when motivated by loyalty.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana, seeing his preceptor Droṇa in distress, personally joins Aśvatthāmā (Droṇa’s son). Both, enraged, charge toward Bhīma to confront him in battle.