Shloka 15
अभिमन्युना दुःशासनस्य ताडनम्
Abhimanyu’s Rebuke and Wounding of Duḥśāsana; Karṇa’s Counter-volley
अथ दुर्योधन: कर्णमत्रवीद् बाह्लिकं नृप: । दुःशासन मद्रराजं तांस्तथान्यान् महारथान्,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--
atha duryodhanaḥ karṇam atravīd bāhlikaṁ nṛpaḥ | duḥśāsanaṁ madrarājaṁ tāṁs tathānyān mahārathān |
Sañjaya said: Then King Duryodhana addressed Karṇa, Bāhlika, Duḥśāsana, the king of Madra (Śalya), and other great chariot-warriors. Having heard Droṇa’s affectionate words spoken in connection with Abhimanyu, Duryodhana was filled with anger; and, looking toward Droṇācārya with a faint, forced smile, he spoke to them—signaling a turn from counsel to hard resolve in the conduct of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger and wounded pride can distort judgment in leadership: even when an elder (Droṇa) speaks with affection and counsel, Duryodhana’s reaction is to rally his hardline allies. Ethically, it points to the danger of letting resentment override discernment and restraint in war.
After hearing Droṇa’s affectionate statement connected with Abhimanyu, Duryodhana becomes enraged. He turns to his principal supporters—Karṇa, Bāhlika, Duḥśāsana, Śalya, and other mahārathas—and begins addressing them, preparing to shape their next actions on the battlefield.