Shloka 11
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 155 — Ghaṭotkaca-nidhana-śoka and Karṇa-śakti-vyaya
Kṛṣṇa’s strategic reassurance
तथा प्रयुध्यमानेषु पाण्डवेयेषु भारत । दुर्योधनो महाराज व्यवागाहत तद् बलम्
tathā prayudhyamāneṣu pāṇḍaveyeṣu bhārata | duryodhano mahārāja vyavagāhata tad balam ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Bhārata, ketika putera-putera Pāṇḍu sedang bertempur hebat demikian, Raja Duryodhana pun menerjang masuk ke dalam bala tentera itu.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the momentum of battle and the decisive (and potentially reckless) agency of a leader: Duryodhana does not remain at a distance but personally drives into the fray. Ethically, it frames kingship as involving direct responsibility and risk, while also hinting that bold action in war can be fueled by pride and desperation, not only by dharma.
As the Pāṇḍava forces continue fighting intensely, Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Duryodhana advances straight into the opposing host—entering deep into the battle formation rather than staying behind the lines.