Shloka 11
Bhīmasena’s Discourse on Kāla, Resolve, and the Feasibility of Ajñātavāsa (भीमसेनस्य कालोपदेशः)
राजान: पार्थिवाश्वैव येडस्माभिरुपतापिता: । संश्रिता: कौरवं पक्ष जातस्नेहाश्न तं प्रति,भूरिश्रवा, शल, पराक्रमी जलसंध, भीष्म, द्रोण, कर्ण, बलवान् अश्व॒त्थामा तथा सदाके आततायी दुर्योधन आदि दुर्धर्ष धृतराष्ट्रपत्न--ये सभी अस्त्र-विद्याके ज्ञाता हैं एवं हमने जिन राजाओं तथा भूमिपालोंको युद्धमें कष्ट पहुँचाया है, वे सभी कौरवपक्षमें मिल गये हैं और उधर ही उनका स्नेह हो गया है
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | rājānaḥ pārthivāś caiva ye ’smābhir upatāpitāḥ | saṃśritāḥ kauravaṃ pakṣaṃ jātasnehāś ca taṃ prati | bhūriśravāḥ śalaḥ parākrāmī jalasaṃdhaḥ bhīṣmaḥ droṇaḥ karṇaḥ balavān aśvatthāmā tathā sadā | ātatāyī duryodhana-ādayaḥ durdharṣā dhṛtarāṣṭra-patnī-putrāś ca | ete sarve ’stra-vidyā-jñāḥ | asmābhir yuddhe ye rājānaḥ bhūmipālāś ca kleśitāḥ te sarve kaurava-pakṣe saṃgatāḥ, tatraiva ca teṣāṃ sneho jātaḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Those kings and rulers whom we have previously afflicted and harassed have now taken refuge on the Kauravas’ side, their affection turning toward them. Along with them stand formidable warriors—Bhūriśravas, Śala, the valiant Jalasandha, Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Karṇa, and the mighty Aśvatthāmā—and ever also the hard-to-overcome Duryodhana and other aggressors, together with Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons. All of these are masters of weapon-lore. Indeed, the very kings and earth-protectors whom we caused suffering in war have all joined the Kaurava faction, and their loyalty has settled there.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and strategic consequence of prior conduct: rulers who were previously harmed tend to shift allegiance to one’s enemies. It underscores that political support is shaped by remembered injury and perceived protection, and that dharma in governance includes restraint and foresight, not merely victory in battle.
Yudhiṣṭhira assesses the growing strength of the Kaurava camp. He notes that many kings once troubled by the Pāṇḍavas have now joined Duryodhana, and he enumerates renowned warriors on that side, emphasizing their mastery of weapons and the formidable challenge they pose.