Shloka 5
Karṇa’s advance against the Pāṇḍava host; Arjuna’s clash with the Saṃśaptakas (कर्णस्य पाण्डवसेनाप्रवेशः—अर्जुनस्य संशप्तकसंप्रहारः)
निर्जितिषु च दैत्येषु तारकस्य सुतास्त्रय: । ताराक्ष: कमलाक्षश्न विद्युन्माली च पार्थिव
nirjitiṣu ca daityeṣu tārakasya sutās trayaḥ | tārākṣaḥ kamalākṣaś ca vidyunmālī ca pārthiva | nibodha manasā cātra na te kāryā vicāraṇā | tapo ugraṃ samāsthāya niyame parame sthitāḥ |
ドゥルヨーダナは言った。「ダイティヤ族（Daitya）が敗れたのち、王よ、ターラカには三人の子がいた。ターラークシャ（Tārākṣa）、カマラークシャ（Kamalākṣa）、そしてヴィデュンマーリー（Vidyunmālī）である。心を定めて聞かれよ、疑いを抱くな。彼らは苛烈な苦行を引き受け、最上の誓戒の規律に堅く住した。」
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata theme that intense resolve and disciplined observance (tapas and niyama) can become a powerful force after defeat; it also shows how a speaker tries to secure trust by urging the listener to set aside doubt and attend carefully.
Duryodhana introduces a past mythic episode: after the Daityas were defeated, Tārakāsura’s three sons—Tārākṣa, Kamalākṣa, and Vidyunmālī—undertook fierce austerities and strict vows. He frames it as reliable precedent and asks the king he addresses to listen without skepticism.