Shloka 13
Nārada’s Account of the Kaliṅga Svayaṃvara: Duryodhana’s Seizure and Karṇa’s Escort
स वीर्यमदमत्तत्वाद् भीष्मद्रोणावुपाश्रित: । रथमारोप्य तां कन्यामाजहार नराधिप:,राजा दुर्योधनको भीष्म और द्रोणाचार्यका सहारा प्राप्त था; इसलिये वह बलके मदसे उन्मत्त हो रहा था। उसने उस राजकन्याको रथपर बिठाकर उसका अपहरण कर लिया
sa vīrya-mada-mattatvād bhīṣma-droṇāv upāśritaḥ | ratham āropya tāṃ kanyām ājahāra narādhipaḥ ||
Nārada berkata: Mabuk oleh keangkuhan atas keperwiraannya sendiri, dan bersandar pada Bhīṣma serta Droṇa sebagai sokongan, raja itu merampas gadis tersebut—menaikkannya ke atas keretanya—lalu membawanya pergi. Peristiwa ini menegaskan bahawa kuasa, apabila bergandingan dengan kesombongan dan dukungan para tua yang digeruni, boleh menjerumuskan seorang pemerintah ke dalam adharma dengan mencabuli kebebasan diri orang lain.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns that pride in strength (vīrya-mada) can intoxicate a ruler into committing adharma—here, the coercive seizure of a maiden—especially when he feels emboldened by powerful protectors. Ethical kingship requires restraint and respect for others’ agency, not merely reliance on might or influential allies.
Nārada narrates that a king, made arrogant by his power and supported by Bhīṣma and Droṇa, abducts a princess by placing her on his chariot and taking her away. The focus is on the act of abduction and the moral failure driven by arrogance and perceived impunity.