Shloka 4

धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्रतु-प्रवर्तनम् तथा पाण्डवानां निमन्त्रण-प्रतिवचनम्

Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Sacrifice Commences and the Pandavas’ Reply to the Invitation

Devanagari script

दुर्योधनवच: श्रुत्वा धार्तराष्ट्रा महाबला: । सर्व एवाभिसंनद्धा योधाश्वापि सहस्रश:,दुर्योधनकी यह बात सुनकर महाबली कौरव और उनके सहसौ्रों योद्धा सब-के-सब युद्धके लिये कमर कसकर तैयार हो गये

Transliteration

duryodhanavacaḥ śrutvā dhārtarāṣṭrā mahābalāḥ | sarva evābhisaṃnaddhā yodhāś cāpi sahasraśaḥ ||

Translation

ദുര്യോധനന്റെ വാക്കുകൾ കേട്ടപ്പോൾ മഹാബലവാന്മാരായ ധാർത്തരാഷ്ട്രർ (കൗരവർ) അവരുടെ ആയിരക്കണക്കിന് യോദ്ധാക്കളോടുകൂടി എല്ലാവരും യുദ്ധത്തിനായി സന്നദ്ധരായി.

Word by Word

दुर्योधनवचःDuryodhana's words/speech

श्रुत्वाhaving heard

धार्तराष्ट्राःthe sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Kauravas)

महाबलाःvery strong/mighty

सर्वेall

एवindeed/just

अभिसंनद्धाःfully armed/ready (girt up)

योधाःwarriors

अपिalso/even

सहस्रशःby thousands/in thousands

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Duryodhana

Dhṛtarāṣṭra

Dhārtarāṣṭras (Kauravas)

yodhāḥ (warriors)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical weight of speech and leadership: words can rapidly convert emotion and intent into collective action. When driven by hostility, such mobilization accelerates conflict and strengthens adharma-oriented resolve.

What is happening in the narrative?

After Duryodhana speaks, the Kauravas (Dhārtarāṣṭras) and their warriors respond immediately by arming themselves and preparing for battle, indicating a swift escalation toward confrontation.