Shloka 17
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
हर्षयन्तः स्वसैन्यानि ययुस्तव सुतैः सह । मद्र, त्रिगर्त, अम्बष्ठ, प्रतीच्य, उदीच्य, मालव, शिबि, शूरसेन, शूद्र, मलद, सौवीर, कितव, प्राच्य तथा दाक्षिणात्य वीर--ये सब-के-सब आपके पुत्र दुर्योधनको आगे करके सूतपुत्र कर्णके पृष्ठभागमें रहकर अपनी सेनाओंको हर्ष प्रदान करते हुए आपके पुत्रोंके साथ चले ।। प्रवर: सर्वयोधानां बलेषु बलमादधत्
harṣayantaḥ svasainyāni yayus tava sutaiḥ saha | madra-trigarta-ambaṣṭha-pratīcya-udīcya-mālava-śibi-śūrasena-śūdra-malad-sauvīra-kitava-prācyā tathā dākṣiṇātyā vīrāḥ—ye sarve tava putraṃ duryodhanaṃ puraskṛtya sūtaputra-karṇasya pṛṣṭhabhāge sthitvā svasenā harṣayantaḥ tava sutaiḥ saha yayuḥ || pravaraḥ sarvayodhānāṃ baleṣu balam ādadat |
サञ्जयは言った。自軍を歓呼して奮い立たせつつ、マドラ、トリガルタ、アンバシュタ、西方と北方の者、マーラヴァ、シビ、シューラセーナ、シュードラ、マラダ、サウヴィーラ、キタヴァ、東方の者、そして南方の勇士たち——彼らは皆、汝の子らとともに進軍した。ドゥルヨーダナを先頭に据え、スータの子カルナの後方に従って進み、行く先々で兵の心を鼓舞したのである。さらに、戦士の中の最上者が諸軍に力を注ぎ込んだ。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how leadership and morale shape collective action in war: allies rally behind a chosen front-leader (Duryodhana) while aligning tactically with a key champion (Karṇa). Ethically, it underscores the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension—organizational strength and enthusiasm can serve a cause regardless of its righteousness, reminding readers to distinguish strategic success from dharmic legitimacy.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that many regional contingents allied to the Kauravas march together. They place Duryodhana at the head of the advance, position themselves behind Karṇa, and move forward while encouraging their troops; a foremost warrior is described as strengthening the army’s fighting power.