Shloka 4

धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्रतु-प्रवर्तनम् तथा पाण्डवानां निमन्त्रण-प्रतिवचनम्

Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Sacrifice Commences and the Pandavas’ Reply to the Invitation

Devanagari script

दुर्योधनवच: श्रुत्वा धार्तराष्ट्रा महाबला: । सर्व एवाभिसंनद्धा योधाश्वापि सहस्रश:,दुर्योधनकी यह बात सुनकर महाबली कौरव और उनके सहसौ्रों योद्धा सब-के-सब युद्धके लिये कमर कसकर तैयार हो गये

Transliteration

duryodhanavacaḥ śrutvā dhārtarāṣṭrā mahābalāḥ | sarva evābhisaṃnaddhā yodhāś cāpi sahasraśaḥ ||

Translation

ଦୁର୍ଯ୍ୟୋଧନଙ୍କ କଥା ଶୁଣି ମହାବଳୀ ଧାର୍ତ୍ତରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରମାନେ (କୌରବ) ତାଙ୍କ ସହସ୍ର ସହସ୍ର ଯୋଦ୍ଧାଙ୍କ ସହ ସମସ୍ତେ ଯୁଦ୍ଧ ପାଇଁ ସଜ୍ଜ ହେଲେ।

Word by Word

• दुर्योधनवचः: Duryodhana's words/speech
• दुर्योधनवचः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्योधन-वचस्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral), Prior action

• धार्तराष्ट्राः: the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Kauravas)
• धार्तराष्ट्राः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: धार्तराष्ट्र
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• महाबलाः: very strong/mighty
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाबल
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• एव: indeed/just
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• अभिसंनद्धाः: fully armed/ready (girt up)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-सम्-नह्
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• योधाः: warriors
• योधाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: योध
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• अपि: also/even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

• सहस्रशः: by thousands/in thousands
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सहस्रशस्

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Duryodhana
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• Dhārtarāṣṭras (Kauravas)
• yodhāḥ (warriors)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical weight of speech and leadership: words can rapidly convert emotion and intent into collective action. When driven by hostility, such mobilization accelerates conflict and strengthens adharma-oriented resolve.

What is happening in the narrative?

After Duryodhana speaks, the Kauravas (Dhārtarāṣṭras) and their warriors respond immediately by arming themselves and preparing for battle, indicating a swift escalation toward confrontation.