Shloka 21
Adhyāya 10: Śrutakarmā’s Engagements; Prativindhya–Citra Duel; Drauṇi Advances toward Bhīma
स्वं मनः समवस्थाप्य बाहुवीर्यमुपाश्रित: । दुर्योधनो महाराज राधेयमिदमब्रवीत्
svam manaḥ samavasthāpya bāhuvīryam upāśritaḥ | duryodhano mahārāja rādheyam idam abravīt bharatanandana ||
സഞ്ജയൻ പറഞ്ഞു—മഹാരാജാവേ! സ്വന്തം മനസ്സിനെ സ്ഥിരപ്പെടുത്തി ഭുജബലത്തെ ആശ്രയിച്ച് ദുര്യോധനൻ രാധേയൻ (കർണ്ണൻ) എന്നവനോട് ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞു, ഭരതശ്രേഷ്ഠനേ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior-king’s attempt to regain inner steadiness (manaḥ-samavasthāna) by leaning on perceived sources of strength—here, personal martial prowess and a trusted ally. Ethically, it shows how leadership in crisis often turns to confidence-building and strategic reassurance, even when the larger war is driven by contested dharma.
After major commanders have fallen, Duryodhana composes himself and turns to Karna (Radheya) to speak in a way meant to be beneficial and auspicious for his cause. Sanjaya reports this to Dhritarashtra, marking a transition into Duryodhana’s address to Karna.