Shloka 31
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 47 — Arjuna’s Deterrent Declaration
Sañjaya’s Report
यदा द्रष्टा द्रौपदेयान् महेषून् शूरान् कृतास्त्रान् रथयुद्धकोविदान् | आशीविषान् घोरविषानिवायत- स्तदा युद्ध धार्तराष्ट्रोडन्वतप्स्यत्
sañjaya uvāca | yadā draṣṭā draupadeyān maheṣūn śūrān kṛtāstrān rathayuddhakovidān | āśīviṣān ghoraviṣān ivāyatas tadā yuddhe dhārtarāṣṭro 'nvatapsyat ||
サञ्जयは言った。ドゥルヨーダナが、ドラウパディーの子ら――強弓の射手にして勇士、武器の修練を尽くし、車戦に通暁する者たち――が、恐るべき毒をもつ致命の蛇のごとく進み来るのを見れば、その戦のただ中で、ドゥリタラーシュトラの子は、この戦を動かしたことへの苦い悔恨に襲われるであろう。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical consequence of initiating unjust conflict: when the reality of violence and its capable opponents becomes undeniable, pride collapses into remorse. It implies that adharma-driven choices may feel powerful at first but culminate in suffering and regret.
Sañjaya foretells Duryodhana’s reaction in battle: upon seeing the Draupadeyas—expert, formidable chariot-warriors—advance like deadly serpents, Duryodhana will be tormented by regret for having provoked the war.