Shloka 326
Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ
Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit
अमन्यत वधे युक्तान् समर्थाश्व सुयोधन: । दुर्योधनने यह मान लिया कि संशप्तकगण तथा कर्ण ये शत्रुधाती अर्जुनके वधमें लगे हुए हैं और इसके लिये वे समर्थ हैं
amanayata vadhe yuktān samarthāś ca suyodhanaḥ |
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Suyodhana (Duryodhana) menyimpulkan bahawa mereka yang terlibat dalam tugas pembunuhan itu berkeupayaan—dengan mempercayai bahawa kaum Saṁśaptaka bersama Karṇa telah bertekad sepenuhnya untuk memusnahkan Arjuna. Ayat ini menonjolkan bagaimana keyakinan pada kekuatan dan pakatan boleh mengeras menjadi kepastian moral, walaupun sasarannya ialah membunuh lawan yang benar.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse shows how a leader’s conviction can be shaped by martial calculations—mistaking capability and commitment for moral rightness. It implicitly contrasts strategic confidence with ethical discernment, a recurring Mahābhārata theme where intent (to kill the righteous) carries grave moral weight regardless of tactical strength.
Vaiśampāyana reports Duryodhana’s assessment: he believes the Saṁśaptaka warriors and Karṇa are actively engaged in, and capable of, killing Arjuna. It is a moment of Kaurava expectation that their chosen champions will eliminate a key Pāṇḍava hero.