Shloka 14
अभिमन्युना दुःशासनस्य ताडनम्
Abhimanyu’s Rebuke and Wounding of Duḥśāsana; Karṇa’s Counter-volley
द्रोणस्य प्रीतिसंयुक्तं श्रुत्वा वाक््यं तवात्मज: । आर्जुनिं प्रति संक्रुद्धो द्रोणं दृष्टवा स्मयन्निव,अभिमन्युके सम्बन्धमें ट्रोणाचार्यका यह प्रीतियुक्त वचन सुनकर आपका पुत्र राजा दुर्योधन क्रोधमें भर गया और द्रोणाचार्यक्री ओर देखकर मुसकराता हुआ-सा कर्ण, बाह्लिक, दुःशासन, मद्रराज शल्य तथा अन्य महारथियोंसे बोला--
sañjaya uvāca | droṇasya prītisaṃyuktaṃ śrutvā vākyaṃ tavātmajaḥ | ārjunim prati saṃkruddho droṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā smayann iva |
Sanjaya said: Hearing Droṇa’s words, spoken with evident affection, your son (Duryodhana) became enraged toward Arjuna. Glancing at Droṇa with a faint, almost derisive smile, he then addressed Karṇa, Bāhlīka, Duḥśāsana, the king of Madra Śalya, and the other great chariot-warriors—signaling a shift from respectful reception to strategic, pride-driven reaction amid the moral tensions of the war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pride and rivalry can distort judgment: even a teacher’s well-meant, affectionate words can provoke resentment when one is driven by ego and fear of a rival. Ethically, it warns that anger (krodha) quickly turns perception into suspicion and pushes leaders toward reactive, divisive counsel.
Sanjaya reports that Duryodhana hears Droṇa speak affectionately (in context, about the unfolding battle and Arjuna). Duryodhana becomes angry toward Arjuna, looks at Droṇa with a faint, suggestive smile, and then turns to address his key allies—Karṇa, Bāhlīka, Duḥśāsana, Śalya, and other mahārathas—preparing to influence or direct their next actions in the battle.