Shloka 18
धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्रतु-प्रवर्तनम् तथा पाण्डवानां निमन्त्रण-प्रतिवचनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Sacrifice Commences and the Pandavas’ Reply to the Invitation
दुःशासनो विकर्णश्न ये चान्ये धृतराष्ट्रजा: । न्यहनंस्तत् तदा सैन्यं रथैर्गरुडनि:स्वनै:
duḥśāsano vikarṇaś ca ye cānye dhṛtarāṣṭrajāḥ | nyahanan tat tadā sainyaṃ rathair garuḍaniḥsvanaiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Duḥśāsana, Vikarṇa, and the other sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra then struck down that force, charging in chariots whose rumbling roar was like that of Garuḍa—an image of overwhelming martial power unleashed in the service of a contested cause.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how sheer martial force and intimidating display can be mobilized by those aligned with a disputed or unrighteous agenda; it implicitly contrasts external might (roaring chariots) with the ethical question of whether violence is exercised in accordance with dharma.
Duḥśāsana, Vikarṇa, and the other Kaurava princes are described as attacking and cutting down an opposing army, advancing in chariots whose thunderous sound is compared to Garuḍa’s roar, emphasizing the ferocity and momentum of their assault.