Shloka 12
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
अर्जुनेन यमाभ्यां वा भीमसेनेन वा पुन: । राजधर्म पुरस्कृत्य राजा राजानमारछति,कथयामास दुर्धर्षो विनि:श्वस्य पुनः पुनः । संजय कहते हैं--महाराज! शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाला राजा दुर्योधन उस महान् युद्धमें एक राक्षसके द्वारा प्राप्त हुई अपनी पराजयको नहीं सह सका। उसने गंगानन्दन भीष्मजीके पास जाकर उन्हें विनीतभावसे प्रणाम करनेके पश्चात् सारा वृत्तान्त यथावत् रूपसे कह सुनाया। उस दुर्धर्ष वीरने बारंबार लम्बी साँस खींचकर घटोत्कचकी विजय और अपनी पराजयकी कथा कही “अर्जुन, नकुल, सहदेव अथवा भीमसेनके साथ भी तुम युद्ध कर सकते हो। राजधर्मको सामने रखकर यह बात कही गयी है। राजा राजासे ही युद्ध करता है
sañjaya uvāca |
arjunena yamābhyāṃ vā bhīmasenena vā punaḥ |
rājadharmaṃ puraskṛtya rājā rājānam ārcchati |
kathayāmāsa durdharṣo viniḥśvasya punaḥ punaḥ |
Sañjaya said: “Whether with Arjuna, or with the twin sons of Yama (Nakula and Sahadeva), or again with Bhīmasena—keeping the king’s duty foremost, a king should engage only a king in battle.” Having approached Bhīṣma, the formidable Duryodhana repeatedly heaved deep sighs and related the matter, speaking of his humiliation and the enemy’s success in the great war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds rājadharma: in warfare, a king should uphold royal propriety—ideally confronting an equal (another king) rather than violating the ethical hierarchy of combat. It frames battle not merely as force, but as conduct governed by duty.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana, distressed and repeatedly sighing, approaches Bhīṣma and recounts events of the war, invoking the principle of rājadharma while speaking about whom one should properly fight—Arjuna, the twins Nakula-Sahadeva, or Bhīma—yet emphasizing that a king should meet a king.