Shloka 24
Bhīṣma’s Admonition; Duryodhana’s Rājasūya Aspiration and the Proposal of a Vaiṣṇava-satra
स तु तेषां वच: श्रुत्वा सैनिकान् युद्धदुर्मदान् प्रेषयामास कौरव्य उत्सारयत तानिति
sa tu teṣāṃ vacaḥ śrutvā sainikān yuddha-durmadān preṣayāmāsa kauravya utsārayata tān iti | rājan! asau sarovaro gandharva-rājñā gheritaḥ iti dṛṣṭvā te rāja-sevakā yatra rājā duryodhanaḥ āsīt tatra pratyāgatāḥ | janamejaya! sva-sevakānāṃ kathanaṃ śrutvā rājā duryodhanas tān yuddhāya unmatta-sainikān ājñāpayitvā preṣayāmāsa—“gandharvān tatra sthānāt mārayitvā bhāgaya” iti ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。従者たちの報告を聞くや、クル族の王は戦の驕りに酔った兵を差し向け、「追い払え」と命じた。王よ、湖がガンダルヴァの王によって取り囲まれているのを見て、王の従者たちはドゥルヨーダナ王のもとへ引き返した。ジャナメージャヤよ、従者の言葉を聞いたドゥルヨーダナは、戦に狂した軍勢を送り出し、「ガンダルヴァどもを討ち、あの地から追い散らせ」と命令したのである。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pride and impulsive aggression—being “war-maddened”—can distort judgment. Instead of restraint or inquiry, Duryodhana responds to a warning by escalating violence, illustrating a recurring Mahābhārata ethic: unchecked arrogance invites humiliation and harm.
Royal attendants report that the lake is surrounded/controlled by the Gandharva king. On hearing this, Duryodhana orders and dispatches troops, commanding them to attack the Gandharvas and drive them away from the lake.