Shloka 19
Dambhodbhava, Nara-Nārāyaṇa, and the Counsel to Abandon Hubris
Udyoga-parva 94
यत्र भीष्मश्न द्रोणश्न॒ कृप: कर्णो विविंशति: । अश्रत्थामा विकर्णश्न॒ सोमदत्तो5थ बाह्विक:
yatra bhīṣmaś ca droṇaś ca kṛpaḥ karṇo viviṁśatiḥ | aśvatthāmā vikarṇaś ca somadatto 'tha bāhlikaḥ ||
भरतश्रेष्ठ! ज्या पक्षात भीष्म, द्रोण, कृप, कर्ण, विविंशति, अश्वत्थामा, विकर्ण, सोमदत्त आणि बाह्लिक असे महावीर आहेत—त्या पक्षाच्या योद्ध्यांविरुद्ध कोणता विपरीत बुद्धीचा राजा युद्ध छेडेल?
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical irrationality of initiating war against a side strengthened by eminent elders and master-warriors. It implies that such a choice reflects distorted judgment (viparīta-buddhi), where pride and attachment override dharma-informed counsel.
Vaiśampāyana enumerates leading Kuru-side champions—Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and others—to emphasize the overwhelming martial authority present on that side. The rhetorical question frames the impending conflict as a consequence of misguided royal decision-making rather than necessity.