Shloka 13
(न तु कार्यस्त्वया राजन् हैडिम्बेन दुरात्मना ।।) अहं द्रोण: कृपो द्रौणि: कृतवर्मा च सात्वत: । शल्यश्ष सौमदत्तिक्ष विकर्णश्र महारथ:,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 “राजन! तुम्हें दुरात्मा घटोत्कचके साथ कदापि युद्ध नहीं करना चाहिये। मैं, द्रोणाचार्य, कृपाचार्य, अश्वत्थामा, सात्वतवंशी कृतवर्मा, शल्य, भूरिश्रवा, महारथी विकर्ण तथा दुःशासन आदि तुम्हारे अच्छे भ्राता--ये सब लोग तुम्हारे लिये उस महाबली राक्षससे युद्ध करेंगे
sañjaya uvāca | na tu kāryas tvayā rājan haiḍimben durātmanā || ahaṃ droṇaḥ kṛpaḥ drauṇiḥ kṛtavarmā ca sātvatāḥ | śalyaś ca saumadattiś ca vikarṇaś ca mahārathaḥ | (anye ca tava bhrātaraḥ) kathayiṣyāmaḥ durdharṣo viniḥśvasya punaḥ punaḥ ||
Sanjaya said: “O King, you should not engage in combat with the wicked son of Hidimbā (Ghaṭotkaca). I—Droṇa, Kṛpa, Droṇa’s son Aśvatthāmā, Kṛtavarmā of the Sātvatas, Śalya, Saumadatti (Bhūriśravas), the great chariot-warrior Vikarṇa, and your other brothers—will fight that mighty rākṣasa on your behalf.” Having been unable to bear his defeat at the hands of the rākṣasa in that great battle, the hard-to-overcome Duryodhana went to Bhīṣma, bowed with humility, and, sighing again and again, reported in full the account of Ghaṭotkaca’s victory and his own reverse—seeking protection through counsel and delegation rather than reckless pride.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights prudent leadership in war: recognizing a dangerous opponent, restraining ego-driven rashness, and relying on counsel and appropriate delegation. Duryodhana’s humility before Bhīṣma contrasts with his earlier pride, showing that dharma in kingship includes listening to elders and choosing strategy over impulsive valor.
After being defeated by Ghaṭotkaca, Duryodhana cannot endure the humiliation. He approaches Bhīṣma, bows respectfully, and reports the events while repeatedly sighing. The counsel conveyed is that the king should not personally fight Ghaṭotkaca; instead, senior Kaurava champions—Droṇa, Kṛpa, Aśvatthāmā, Kṛtavarmā, Śalya, Bhūriśravas, Vikarṇa, and others—will take up that battle.