Shloka 21
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ५४: दुर्योधनस्य धृतराष्ट्रं प्रति बलप्रशंसन-युक्तः आश्वासनवादः
Duryodhana’s Reassurance and Force-Praise to Dhritarashtra
जघान सुबहूंस्तेषां संरब्ध: कुरुसत्तम: । ततस्ते शरणं जम्मुर्देवव्रतमिमं भयात्,रोषमें भरे हुए कुरुश्रेष्ठ भीष्मने जब उनमेंसे बहुत-से राजाओंको मार डाला, तब वे डरके मारे पुनः इन्हीं देवव्रत (भीष्म)-की शरणमें आये
jaghāna subahūṁs teṣāṁ saṁrabdhaḥ kurusattamaḥ | tatas te śaraṇaṁ jagmur devavratam imaṁ bhayāt ||
क्रोधाने संतप्त झालेल्या कुरुश्रेष्ठ भीष्मांनी त्यांच्यातील अनेकांना ठार केले. तेव्हा ते राजे भयाने पुन्हा याच देवव्रत (भीष्म) यांच्या शरणास गेले.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical dynamic in the epic: when confronted by overwhelming force and the consequences of conflict, people often abandon pride and factionalism to seek refuge in the strongest protector. It also reflects how a warrior’s prowess can become the pivot of political allegiance in wartime.
Duryodhana recounts that Bhīṣma (Devavrata), furious in battle, killed many among certain kings; frightened by this, the remaining kings returned and sought Bhīṣma’s protection.