उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ५४: दुर्योधनस्य धृतराष्ट्रं प्रति बलप्रशंसन-युक्तः आश्वासनवादः
Duryodhana’s Reassurance and Force-Praise to Dhritarashtra
अश्वत्थाम्नो महाराज स च शूर: स्थितो मम । सर्व एते महाराज देवकल्पा महारथा:
aśvatthāmno mahārāja sa ca śūraḥ sthito mama | sarva ete mahārāja devakalpā mahārathāḥ ||
ମହାରାଜ! ଅଶ୍ୱତ୍ଥାମା ମଧ୍ୟ ଶୂର; ସେ ମୋ ପକ୍ଷରେ ଅଛି। ରାଜନ୍! ଏ ସମସ୍ତ ଯୋଦ୍ଧା ଦେବତୁଲ୍ୟ ପରାକ୍ରମୀ ମହାରଥୀ।
दुर्योधन उवाच
The verse highlights how leaders use the language of divine-like strength and elite status to legitimize their cause; ethically, it invites reflection on the difference between mere power (bala) and righteousness (dharma) when judging a war’s justification.
Duryodhana is enumerating and praising the strength of his supporters, emphasizing that Aśvatthāman is firmly aligned with him and that the assembled warriors are formidable “great chariot-fighters,” as the Kurukṣetra conflict approaches.