Shloka 8
दुर्योधनस्तु सम्प्रेक्ष्य कर्णमार्ति परां गतम् । अलायुध॑ राक्षसेन्द्रे समाहूयेदमब्रवीत्,उस समय कर्णको बड़े भारी संकटमें पड़ा देख दुर्योधनने राक्षसराज अलायुधको बुलाकर इस प्रकार कहा--
sañjaya uvāca |
duryodhanas tu samprekṣya karṇam ārti-parāṁ gatam |
alāyudhaṁ rākṣasendraṁ samāhūyedam abravīt ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing Karṇa plunged into extreme distress on the battlefield, Duryodhana summoned Alāyudha, the lord of the Rākṣasas, and spoke these words. The moment underscores how, in the pressure of war, Duryodhana turns to formidable allies to preserve his cause, even as the conflict steadily erodes prudent judgment and ethical restraint.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In wartime adversity, leaders often reveal their deepest attachments and methods: Duryodhana, seeing his chief ally Karṇa endangered, immediately seeks extraordinary force through a fearsome ally. The verse highlights how desperation can intensify reliance on power and alliances, raising ethical questions about means used to sustain one’s cause.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana notices Karṇa in severe trouble. In response, he calls Alāyudha, described as the king of the Rākṣasas, and begins to address him—setting up the next action or instruction meant to rescue or reinforce Karṇa in the battle.