Shloka 45
Karṇa’s advance against the Pāṇḍava host; Arjuna’s clash with the Saṃśaptakas (कर्णस्य पाण्डवसेनाप्रवेशः—अर्जुनस्य संशप्तकसंप्रहारः)
ते यूयं स्थाणुमीशानं जिष्णुमक्लिष्टकारिणम् | योद्धारं वृणुतादित्या: स तान् हन्ता सुरेतरान्
te yūyaṃ sthāṇum īśānaṃ jiṣṇum akliṣṭakāriṇam | yoddhāraṃ vṛṇutādityāḥ sa tān hantā suretarān | tapa ugraṃ samāsthāya niyame parame sthitāḥ |
ドゥルヨーダナは言った。「アディティの子らよ、汝らの勇士として、あの主—スサーヌ、イーシャーナ—常に勝利し、行いにおいて決して滞らぬ御方を選べ。諸天の敵を討てるのはただその御方のみ。聞くところによれば、ダイティヤが屈したのち、タラカーサラの三子—タラカークシャ、カマラークシャ、ヴィデュンマーリー—は苛烈な苦行に身を寄せ、最上の戒律に堅く立ったという。ゆえにマハーデーヴァを戦士として任じよ。かかる強敵を滅ぼし得るのは、ただ彼のみである。」
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a mythic precedent to argue that extraordinary threats—especially those strengthened by severe tapas and strict vows—require an equally extraordinary, divinely sanctioned counterforce. It highlights the perceived efficacy of austerity and the need for rightful, capable leadership in confronting empowered adversaries.
Duryodhana cites a well-known account: after the Daityas were defeated, Tārakāsura’s three sons undertook fierce austerities and strict disciplines. On that basis he urges the Ādityas to choose Śiva (Sthāṇu/Īśāna/Mahādeva) as their champion, asserting that only he can destroy such formidable enemies of the gods.