Shloka 12
Draupadī’s Identification of the Pāṇḍavas and the Onset of the Chariot Engagement (द्रौपदी-पाण्डव-परिचयः)
तं तु प्रस्थितमाज्ञाय कर्णदुःशासनादय: । अनुजममुर्महेष्वासा धार्तराष्ट्र महाबलम्,महाबली दुर्योधनको अन्यत्र गया जान कर्ण और दुःशासन आदि महान धनुर्धरोंने उसका अनुसरण किया
taṃ tu prasthitam ājñāya karṇa-duḥśāsanādayaḥ | anujagmur mahēṣvāsā dhārtarāṣṭraṃ mahābalam ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana berkata: Setelah mengetahui bahawa dia telah berangkat, Karṇa, Duḥśāsana, dan para pemanah agung yang lain mengekori putera Dhṛtarāṣṭra itu—Duryodhana—yang perkasa.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the power of allegiance and collective momentum: influential warriors reinforce a leader’s path by following him. Ethically, it invites reflection on whether loyalty is guided by dharma (right conduct) or by attachment to power and faction.
When Duryodhana (identified by the patronymic Dhārtarāṣṭra) sets out, Karṇa, Duḥśāsana, and other renowned archers learn of his departure and proceed after him, forming his accompanying force.