Shloka 21
अभिमन्युना दुःशासनस्य ताडनम्
Abhimanyu’s Rebuke and Wounding of Duḥśāsana; Karṇa’s Counter-volley
दुःशासनस्तु तच्छूत्वा दुर्योधनवचस्तदा । अब्रवीत् कुरुशार्दूल दुर्योधनमिदं वच:,कुरुश्रेष्ठ उस समय दुर्योधनके उपर्युक्त वचनको सुनकर दुःशासनने उससे यह बात कही--
duḥśāsanas tu tac chrutvā duryodhana-vacas tadā | abravīt kuruśārdūla duryodhanam idaṃ vacaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Hearing Duryodhana’s words at that moment, Duḥśāsana addressed him again, speaking in a tone meant to stir resolve. In the midst of war, the exchange underscores how counsel among the Kauravas often aims less at ethical restraint and more at hardening determination and loyalty to their chosen course.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the pressure of conflict, speech among allies can function as reinforcement of resolve rather than moral reflection—showing a recurring Mahābhārata theme: when victory becomes the overriding aim, ethical restraint is easily sidelined.
Sañjaya narrates that Duḥśāsana, after hearing Duryodhana’s preceding statement, responds by addressing Duryodhana directly—setting up Duḥśāsana’s counsel or reaction in the following lines.